Psychosocial intervention for war-affected children in Sierra Leone.
BACKGROUND
There are no psychosocial interventions to address both educational needs and psychological distress among displaced children in post-conflict settings.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the psychosocial status of displaced children enrolled in the Rapid-Ed intervention; and to determine whether the Rapid-Ed intervention alleviated traumatic stress symptoms that interfere with learning among war-affected children in Sierra Leone.


METHODS
A randomly selected sample of 315 children aged 8-18 years who were displaced by war were interviewed about their war experiences and reactions to the violence before and after participating in the 4-week Rapid-Ed intervention combining basic education with trauma healing activities.


RESULTS
High levels of intrusion, arousal and avoidance symptoms were reported at the pre-test interviews conducted 9-12 months after the war. Post-test findings showed statistically significant decreases in intrusion and arousal symptoms (P<0.0001), a slight increase in avoidance reactions (P<0.0001) and greater optimism about the future.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest potential for combining basic education with trauma healing activities for children in post-conflict settings, but confirmatory studies using a control group are needed. Conducting research in post-conflict settings presents unique challenges.
Gupta
Leila
L
Plan International Consultant, West Africa Regional Bureau, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Zimmer
Catherine
C
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D004493:Education; D006801:Humans; D011594:Psychometrics; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012807:Sierra Leone; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology; D014857:Warfare