Research Information System
Journal of Ideas in Health, vol.2, no.1, pp.56-59, 2019 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Background: Internally displaced people (IDPs) in Iraq are still suffering because the solutions were not radical.
This study aims to assess the impact of displacement on the socio-economic, wellbeing and mental health status of
internally displaced (ID) families in Anbar province, Iraq.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from 3rd to 17th April 2017. Data was collected using a
universal sampling technique. A total of 355 heads of households interviewed with a modified questionnaire
consisting of 26 close-ended questions related to the socio-economic, demographic, wellbeing and the mental
health characteristics.
Results: At the time of the study, about 55.5% of the surveyed displaced families have not returned home yet.
Prominent families of more than seven members (59.4%) and residency in renting houses (82.8%) are two
variables that may contribute to an economic burden. Mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression
spread among 62.3% of surveyed families. Significant rise in chronic diseases from 64 (18.0%) cases before
displacement to 102 cases (28.7%) after displacement. Few of them (21.6%) were able to access public health
services. People who experienced violence had verbally abused at 52.1%. Lack of the services (50.3%), the
inability to repair the destroyed houses (26.4%) and the loss of house due to destruction (23.3%) were the
significant factors inhibited families from returning home back
Conclusion: Our findings indicate the need for urgent and strategic plans to improve the quality of logistics, health
and infrastructure services to motivate the displaced families to return to their homes.