Year: 2003 Source: Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, v.108, no.5, (November 2003), p.392-393 SIEC No: 20070050

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 297 consecutive Afghan mothers in two refugee camps in Pakistan. 106 of the women in the sample screened positive for a common mental disorder. 96 of those screening positive had had suicidal thoughts in the previous month, & 9 rated suicidal feelings as their topmost concern. There is a high prevalence & severity of mental distress in Afghan mothers caring for young children in refugee camps, something which may have serious long-term effects on the psychological & physical development of the children. (7 refs.)