title: Livestock/animal assets buffer the impact of conflict-related traumatic events on mental health symptoms for rural women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the context of multiple adversities, women are demonstrating resilience in rebuilding their futures, through participation in microfinance programs. In addition to the economic benefits of microfinance, there is evidence to suggest that it is an effective vehicle for improving health.
  
  
  METHODS
  The parent study is a community-based trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a livestock microfinance intervention, Pigs for Peace (PFP), on health and economic outcomes with households in 10 villages in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The analysis for this manuscript includes only baseline data from female participants enrolled in the ongoing parent study. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine if livestock/animal asset value moderates the relationship between conflict-related traumatic events and current mental health symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of women are 25 years or older, married, have on average 4 children in the home and have never attended school. Nearly 50% of women report having at least one livestock/animal asset at baseline. Over the past 10 years, women report on average more than 4 (M = 4.31, SD 3·64) traumatic events (range 0-18). Women reported symptoms consistent with PTSD with a mean score of ·2.30 (SD = 0·66 range 0-4) and depression with a mean score of 1.86 (SD = 0·49, range 0-3.47). The livestock/animal asset value by conflict-related traumatic events interaction was significant for both the PTSD (p = 0·021) and depression (p = 0·002) symptom models.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study provides evidence of the moderating affect of livestock/animal assets on mental health symptoms for women who have experienced conflict. The findings supports evidence about the importance of livestock/animal assets to economics in rural households but expands on previous research by demonstrating the psychosocial effects of these assets on women's health.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  clinicaltrials.gov NCT02008708.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Glass
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Research, Portland, Oregon, United States of America.
authors.forename: Nancy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Perrin
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.
authors.forename: Anjalee
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kohli
authors.affiliation: Programme d'Appui aux Initiatives Economiques (PAIDEK), Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo.
authors.forename: Mitima Mpanano
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Remy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012423:Rural Health / Q000191:economics; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013552:Swine / Q000254:growth & development*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult