Evaluation of Mental Health and Quality of Life among Afghan Refugees in Iran

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Forced migration is significant in Middle Eastern countries. Afghanistan has a high rate of forced immigration due to decades of war and insecurity. This figure has risen, especially in the recent Taliban offensive. It is important to pay attention to the mental health of refugees and to evaluate the risk factors affecting the improvement of their mental health and quality of life. This study aims to investigate the mental health and quality of life among Afghan refugees living in Iran. Methods: The study sample consisted of 200 Afghan refugees living in Tehran, Iran. Demographic characteristics, mental status and quality of life were investigated. One-sample t-test, chi-square, paired t-test, analysis of variance, and Scheffe post hoc test and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Results: Anxiety and insomnia were the most prevalent mental health symptoms among Afghan refugees. Depressive symptoms were higher in unemployed ones and women. Most of the participants (56.5%) had moderate quality of life and social relationship had the lowest score in quality-of-life domain. Conclusions: The frequency of mental health disorders and low quality of life has been considerably high among Afghan Refugees in Iran. The mental health and quality of life of refugees should be further considered, especially after domestic wars and insecurities.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

This study did not receive any funding

Author Declarations

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

Yes

The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

This study was performed after receiving the Ethical code from the ethical committee of Shahid Beheshti Medical University. Due to the legal issues regarding the departure of illegal refugees from the country and the fear arising from the legal issues by Afghan refugees, people were reassured that information would remain confidential, and surname registration or the exact address of the place of residence is not necessary. Informed consent was obtained from all the participants. This research was approved by the ethics research committee of the Shahid beheshti University of Medial Sciences with unique number IR.SBMU.REC.1400.1147 and protocol number 22924. All the names were deleted to respect the anonymity of the participants.

I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.

Yes

I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).

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I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.

Yes

Data Availability

All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors

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