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Posttraumatic stress disorder and the use of general health services in postwar Kosovo *
Author(s) -
Eytan Ariel,
Toscani Letizia,
Loutan Louis,
Bovier Patrick A.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.20098
Subject(s) - residence , posttraumatic stress , poverty , psychiatry , public health , physical health , psychology , health care , refugee , mental health , health services , clinical psychology , gerontology , medicine , environmental health , population , political science , demography , sociology , nursing , law
Studies conducted in high‐income countries have demonstrated that posttraumatic stress symptoms are positively correlated with increased use of general health services; however, comparative data are lacking in postwar settings. This survey was conducted in Kosovo after the end of the conflict; 996 people, age 16 or older, were interviewed. Older age, lower education level, worse physical health, and current diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were associated with higher use of any health services. After adjusting for gender, age, place of residence, type of education, poverty, refugee status, and subjective physical health, PTSD remained associated with an increased use of most health care services. Our results underline the importance of taking into account PTSD when restoring health services in postwar countries.