Somali and Oromo refugees: correlates of torture and trauma history.
Author: Jaranson JM, Butcher J, Halcon L, Johnson DR, Robertson C, Savik K, Spring M, Westermeyer J.
Source:
American journal of public health, 94(4), 591-598.
OBJECTIVES: 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.