War trauma in a civilian population.
BACKGROUND
An epidemiological survey was made of war trauma and its consequences in the general population.


METHODS
One member aged over 15 years from each of 101 randomly selected families in a Primary Health Area in Sri Lanka were interviewed using the Stress Impact Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Nearly one-half had experienced between five and nine war stresses, and one-quarter experienced over 10 (mean 6.66). Only 6% had not experienced any. Sixty-four per cent had developed psychosocial sequelae, including somatisation (41%), post-traumatic stress disorder (27%), anxiety disorder (26%), major depression (25%), hostility (19%), relationship problems (13%), alcohol and drug misuse (15%) and functional disability (18%).


CONCLUSIONS
The trauma experienced correlated strongly with psychosocial and somatic symptoms.
Somasundaram
D J
DJ
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna.
Sivayokan
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012923:Social Class; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014857:Warfare