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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: AJPH.2005.073635v1 97/2/353    most recent Submit a response Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (3) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kim, G. Articles by Lawry, L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kim, G. Articles by Lawry, L. Related Collections Mental Health Sexual Health Surveys Women's Health Refugees

Glen Kim, MD, MPH, Rabih Torbay, BSc and Lynn Lawry, MD, MSPH, MSc

Glen Kim is with the Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, Veterans Affairs Boston Health Care System; Division of General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass. Rabih Torbay and Lynn Lawry are with International Medical Corps, Department of Evidence-Based Research, Washington, DC. Lynn Lawry is also with the Divisions of Women’s Health and General Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md; and Harvard Medical School.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Lynn Lawry, MD, MSPH, MSc, International Medical Corps, 1600 K St NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20006 (llawry{at}imcworldwide.org).

Objectives. We assessed basic health, women’s health, and mental health among Sudanese internally displaced persons in South Darfur.

Methods. In January 2005, we surveyed 6 registered internally displaced persons camps in Nyala District. Using systematic random sampling, we surveyed 1293 households, interviewing 1 adult female per household (N=1274); respondents’ households totaled 8643 members. We inquired about respondents’ mental health, opinions on women’s rights, and the health status of household members.

Results. A majority of respondents had access to rations, shelter, and water. Sixty-eight percent (861 of 1266) used no birth control, and 53% (614 of 1147) reported at least 1 unattended birth. Thirty percent (374 of 1238) shared spousal decisions on timing and spacing of children, and 49% (503 of 1027) reported the right to refuse sex. Eighty-four percent (1043 of 1240) were circumcised. The prevalence of major depression was 31% (390 of 1253). Women also expressed limited rights regarding marriage, movement, and access to health care. Eighty-eight percent (991 of 1121) supported equal educational opportunities for women.

Conclusions. Humanitarian aid has relieved a significant burden of this displaced population’s basic needs. However, mental and women’s health needs remain largely unmet. The findings indicate a limitation of sexual and reproductive rights that may negatively affect health.