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. 2004 Apr;94(4):591-8.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.94.4.591.

Somali and Oromo refugees: correlates of torture and trauma history

James M Jaranson  1 , James Butcher, Linda Halcon, David Robert Johnson, Cheryl Robertson, Kay Savik, Marline Spring, Joseph Westermeyer
Affiliations

Somali and Oromo refugees: correlates of torture and trauma history

James M Jaranson et al. Am J Public Health. 2004 Apr.

Abstract

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.

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References

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