Somali and Oromo refugees: correlates of torture and trauma history.
OBJECTIVE
This cross-sectional, community-based, epidemiological study characterized Somali and Ethiopian (Oromo) refugees in Minnesota to determine torture prevalence and associated problems.


METHODS
A comprehensive questionnaire was developed, then administered by trained ethnic interviewers to a nonprobability sample of 1134. Measures assessed torture techniques; traumatic events; and social, physical, and psychological problems, including posttraumatic stress symptoms.


RESULTS
Torture prevalence ranged from 25% to 69% by ethnicity and gender, higher than usually reported. Unexpectedly, women were tortured as often as men. Torture survivors had more health problems, including posttraumatic stress.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the need to recognize torture in African refugees, especially women, identify indicators of posttraumatic stress in torture survivors, and provide additional resources to care for tortured refugees.
Jaranson
James M
JM
HealthPartners Division of Behavioral Health and the Department of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 55454, USA.
Butcher
James
J
Halcon
Linda
L
Johnson
David Robert
DR
Robertson
Cheryl
C
Savik
Kay
K
Spring
Marline
M
Westermeyer
Joseph
J
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012940:Social Problems; D012998:Somalia / Q000208:ethnology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014104:Torture / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data