Mental health of Kosovan Albanian refugees in the UK.
BACKGROUND
In 1999 the UK received 4346 refugees from Kosovo.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of mental health problems in this group.


METHODS
A sample of 842 adults was surveyed. All were asked to complete self-report questionnaires (translated into Kosovan Albanian). A subset of 120 participants were later interviewed in Albanian using the Clinician Administered PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Scale and a depression interview.


RESULTS
The study yielded estimates of prevalence of PTSD and depression. Self-report measures appear to overestimate the prevalence of these disorders. Just under half of the group surveyed had a diagnosis of PTSD and less than one-fifth had a major depressive disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
These results may be taken as a sign of the resilience of many who survived this conflict but they also imply that there is still a substantial need for good health and social care in a significant proportion. Psychosocial interventions are likely to be an important part of the treatment programme.
Traumatic Stress Clinic, Traumatic Stress Clinic, Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust, London, UK. s.turner@traumaclinic.org.uk
Stuart W
SW
Turner
Cameron
C
Bowie
Graham
G
Dunn
Laidon
L
Shapo
William
W
Yule
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014857:Warfare; D015022:Yugoslavia / Q000208:ethnology