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Prevalence of Mental Disorder and Associated Factors in Civilian Guatemalans With Disabilities Caused By the Internal Armed Conflict

Author

Listed:
  • Walter Herrera Rivera

    (Department of Psychiatry, Paulista School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil, walter@psiquiatria.epm.br)

  • Jair De Jesus Mari

    (Department of Psychiatry, Paulista School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil)

  • Sergio Baxter Andreoli

    (Department of Psychiatry, Paulista School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil)

  • Maria Ines Quintana

    (Department of Psychiatry, Paulista School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil)

  • Marcos Pacheco De Toledo Ferraz

    (Department of Psychiatry, Paulista School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil)

Abstract

Background: The 34-year-long, Guatemalan war left at least 1,841 persons disabled in the country. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of mental disorders in individuals who acquired their disability as a result of the war, and to identify probable risk factors. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted of a group of 99 civilians with a disability in Guatemala. Participants were selected from four civilian organizations serving disabled persons in the municipality of Nebaj, Quiche. The diagnostic instrument was the computerized version of the Composite International Diagnostic Instrument 2.1 (CIDI 2.1). Data were collected from 2002 to 2004. Results: Of the 99 disabled persons who completed the interview, 44 had some type of lifetime psychiatric disorder. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was the most prevalent, with 34.34% (34 cases), followed by dysthymia, with 10.10% (10 cases), and depression, with 6.06% (6 cases). Conclusion: The traumatic events experienced during the conflict caused long-term psychological sequelae in people who were disabled as a result of the war. Increased exposure to traumatic events, being married, physical disability, illiteracy and advanced age were identified as probable risk factors for mental disorders .

Suggested Citation

  • Walter Herrera Rivera & Jair De Jesus Mari & Sergio Baxter Andreoli & Maria Ines Quintana & Marcos Pacheco De Toledo Ferraz, 2008. "Prevalence of Mental Disorder and Associated Factors in Civilian Guatemalans With Disabilities Caused By the Internal Armed Conflict," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 54(5), pages 414-424, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:54:y:2008:i:5:p:414-424
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764008090445
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Melville, Margarita B. & Brinton Lykes, M., 1992. "Guatemalan Indian children and the sociocultural effects of government-sponsored terrorisms," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 533-548, March.
    2. Brinton Lykes, M., 1994. "Terror, silencing and children: International, multidisciplinary collaboration with Guatemalan Maya communities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 38(4), pages 543-552, February.
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