%0 Journal Article
%T Conflict in the Indian Kashmir Valley II: psychosocial impact
%A Kaz de Jong
%A Saskia Kam
%A Nathan Ford
%A Kamalini Lokuge
%A Silke Fromm
%A Renate van Galen
%A Brigg Reilley
%A Rolf Kleber
%J Conflict and Health
%D 2008
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1752-1505-2-11
%X We undertook a two-stage cluster household survey in two districts of Kashmir (India) using questionnaires adapted from other conflict areas. Analysis was stratified for gender.Over one-third of respondents (n = 510) were found to have symptoms of psychological distress (33.3%, CI: 28.3每38.4); women scoring significantly higher (OR 2.5; CI: 1.7每3.6). A third of respondents had contemplated suicide (33.3%, CI: 28.3每38.4). Feelings of insecurity were associated with higher levels of psychological distress for both genders (males: OR 2.4, CI: 1.3每4.4; females: OR 1.9, CI: 1.1每3.3). Among males, violation of modesty, (OR 3.3, CI: 1.6每6.8), forced displacement, (OR 3.5, CI: 1.7每7.1), and physical disability resulting from violence (OR 2.7, CI: 1.2每5.9) were associated with greater levels of psychological distress; for women, risk factors for psychological distress included dependency on others for daily living (OR 2.4, CI: 1.3每4.8), the witnessing of killing (OR 1.9, CI: 1.1每3.4), and torture (OR 2.1, CI: 1.2每3.7). Self-rated poor health (male: OR 4.4, CI: 2.4每8.1; female: OR 3.4, CI: 2.0每5.8) and being unable to work (male: OR 6.7, CI: 3.5每13.0; female: OR 2.6, CI: 1.5每4.4) were associated with mental distress.The ongoing conflict exacts a huge toll on the communities' mental well-being. We found high levels of psychological distress that impacts on daily life and places a burden on the health system. Ongoing feelings of personal vulnerability (not feeling safe) was associated with high levels of psychological distress. Community mental health programmes should be considered as a way reduce the pressure on the health system and improve socio-economic functioning of those suffering from mental health problems.The Partition of India in 1947 was the start of a long history of dispute between India and Pakistan for control of Kashmir, which today remains divided into three parts governed by India, Pakistan and China. Over the last 20 years, a liberation struggle between Ind
%U http://www.conflictandhealth.com/content/2/1/11