title: Mental health needs of Arab women.
abstract: Researchers indicate that the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in the Arab region is similar to that found in other parts of the world. Women, in particular, are more likely to suffer various disorders including depression, anxiety disorders, somatization, and eating disorders. In this article, the author highlights some of the research on the mental health needs of Arab women. Consideration is given to important cultural and contextual factors related to mental illness as well as potential risk factors. Finally, suggestions for future directions are provided in order to attempt to close the gap between the needs and the services available.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Office M27-120, University of Sharjah, P.O. Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. ahamdan@sharjah.ac.ae
authors.forename: Aisha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamdan
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000208:ethnology; D018912:Arabs / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000208:ethnology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012307:Risk Factors; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000208:ethnology; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000208:ethnology; D013240:Stereotyping; D014857:Warfare; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*