Forced migrant populations have high rates of trauma-related ill health, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Physical activity (PA) is well-established as an effective stress reliever, while insufficient PA is associated with adverse effects on both mental and physical health. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of different levels of PA and its association with PTSD symptom severity, controlled for exposure to torture, among asylum seekers in Sweden. A cross-sectional survey study, with data from 455 asylum seekers, originating from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Somalia, and Syria, residing at large housing facilities across Sweden. Level of PA was assessed by the Exercise Vital Sign and categorized as; Inactive, Insufficient PA, and Sufficient PA. Prevalence estimates for proportions of different levels of PA were calculated. Analysis of variance were conducted to determine the association between levels of PA and PTSD symptom severity, measured by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the contribution of PA on PTSD beyond sex, age, and exposure to torture. About half of the participants (53.3, 95% CI: 48.6–58.1) met the recommendations for Sufficient PA. One third of the participants (33.3, 95% CI: 28.7–37.8) were insufficiently engaged in PA, and 13.4% (95% CI: 10.1–16.7) were inactive. There was a significant difference in PTSD symptom severity between groups of asylum seekers with different levels of PA (F(2, 316) = 23.15, p < .001). When controlling for sex, age, and exposure to torture, Sufficient PA was found to be associated with less PTSD symptom severity compared to both Insufficient PA (B = 0.297, SE = 0.086, p < .001) and Inactive (B = 0.789, SE = 0.104, p < .001). Insufficient PA was common among the asylum seekers and our findings suggest that more PA is highly associated with lower PTSD symptom severity. An increased focus on assessment and promotion of PA is justified and discussed as particularly pertinent considering the much extended time of asylum-seeking processes. The results support previous evidence of PA as a potentially important factor in the context of PTSD and forced migrants’ health.

中文翻译：

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瑞典寻求庇护者的体力活动、创伤后应激障碍和遭受酷刑：一项横断面研究

被迫移民人口与创伤相关的健康不良率很高，包括创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD)。体力活动 (PA) 是公认的有效缓解压力的方法，而体力活动不足会对身心健康产生不利影响。本研究的目的是检查瑞典寻求庇护者中不同程度的 PA 的患病率及其与 PTSD 症状严重程度的关联，控制暴露于酷刑。一项横断面调查研究，包含来自阿富汗、厄立特里亚、伊拉克、索马里和叙利亚的 455 名寻求庇护者的数据，他们居住在瑞典各地的大型住房设施中。PA水平由运动生命体征评估并分类为：不活动、PA 不足和 PA 足够。计算了不同水平 PA 比例的患病率估计值。进行方差分析以确定 PA 水平与 PTSD 症状严重程度之间的关联，由哈佛创伤问卷测量。进行多变量逻辑回归分析以确定 PA 对 PTSD 的贡献超出性别、年龄和遭受酷刑的程度。大约一半的参与者 (53.3, 95% CI: 48.6–58.1) 符合足够 PA 的建议。三分之一的参与者 (33.3, 95% CI: 28.7–37.8) 没有充分参与 PA，13.4% (95% CI: 10.1–16.7) 不活动。具有不同 PA 水平的寻求庇护者组的 PTSD 症状严重程度存在显着差异（F(2, 316) = 23.15, p < .001）。在控制性别、年龄和遭受酷刑的情况时，与 PA 不足 (B = 0.297, SE = 0.086, p < .001) 和非活动 (B = 0.789, SE = 0.104, p < .001) 相比，充分 PA 与较轻的 PTSD 症状严重程度相关。PA 不足在寻求庇护者中很常见，我们的研究结果表明，更多的 PA 与较低的 PTSD 症状严重程度高度相关。考虑到寻求庇护程序的时间大大延长，增加对 PA 的评估和促进的关注是合理的，并被讨论为特别相关。结果支持先前的证据表明 PA 是 PTSD 和被迫移民健康背景下的潜在重要因素。PA 不足在寻求庇护者中很常见，我们的研究结果表明，更多的 PA 与较低的 PTSD 症状严重程度高度相关。考虑到寻求庇护程序的时间大大延长，增加对 PA 的评估和促进的关注是合理的，并被讨论为特别相关。结果支持先前的证据表明 PA 是 PTSD 和被迫移民健康背景下的潜在重要因素。PA 不足在寻求庇护者中很常见，我们的研究结果表明，更多的 PA 与较低的 PTSD 症状严重程度高度相关。考虑到寻求庇护程序的时间大大延长，增加对 PA 的评估和促进的关注是合理的，并被讨论为特别相关。结果支持先前的证据表明 PA 是 PTSD 和被迫移民健康背景下的潜在重要因素。