Perceived current needs, psychological distress and functional impairment in a war-affected setting: a cross-sectional study in South Sudan.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the current perceived needs of the general population in a war-affected setting, and to study the influence of perceived needs on the participants' mental health status and functional impairment across genders.


METHODS
A cross-sectional community survey (n=464) was conducted in war-affected South Sudan. Three regression models were analysed. Perceived needs were assessed with the Humanitarian Emergency Settings Perceived Needs Scale. Psychological distress was measured with the General Health Questionnaire and level of functioning by the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12).


RESULTS
The most frequently expressed needs were related to drinking water, alcohol and drug use in the community and access to sanitation facilities. No gender differences were found regarding the level of perceived needs or the number of traumatic events. Higher level of perceived needs significantly predicted psychological distress and lower level of functioning even when numbers of experienced trauma events were taken into account.


CONCLUSIONS
The associations of higher level of needs and trauma experiences, on the one hand, and negative health outcomes on the other, necessitate a greater integration of interventions directed towards the population's perceived needs and mental health, particularly for those who have been exposed to trauma.
Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Touraj
T
Ayazi
Department of Psychology, Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Stellenbosch University Private Bag X1, Matieland, South Africa.
Leslie
L
Swartz
SINTEF Technology and Society, Oslo, Norway.
Arne H
AH
Eide
National Center for Dual Diagnosis, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway Faculty of Public Health, Hedmark University College, Elverum, Norway.
Lars
L
Lien
Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Department of Research and Development, Oslo University Hospital, Ulleval Kirkeveien, Oslo, Norway.
Edvard
E
Hauff
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000533:Altruism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D000067073:Psychological Trauma; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D000068037:South Sudan; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014857:Warfare; D055815:Young Adult
MENTAL HEALTH; PSYCHIATRY; PUBLIC HEALTH