Conflict in Iraq has led to a large number of internally displaced Iraqis, with a great impact on their mental health. A few previous studies investigated the gender differences of mental disorders in Iraqi internally displaced persons (IDPs). The aim of this study was to assess gender differences among Iraqi IDPs after the 2014 terrorist attacks in terms of types of traumatic experiences, prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other symptoms of common mental disorders (depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms). A cross-sectional survey was conducted in April–June 2015 among 358 female and 464 male adult IDPs living in IDP camps in Duhok, Iraq. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), and Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) were applied by local interviewers. Comparison of scores of these measures between the two genders was performed using independent sample t-tests. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify predictors for PTSD. Although the types of traumatic events experienced by female and male IDPs were nearly similar, males reported higher exposure to combat situation, torture, oppressions, and destruction of personal properties (t = 3.718 and 4.758, respectively, p < 0.001). Overall, males experienced more events than females (p < 0.001). The probable PTSD prevalence rates (29.1% among females and 31.9% among males) did not differ significantly (p = 0.212). Female IDPs reported more somatic (p < 0.001) and depressive/anxious (p < 0.001) symptoms than males. The demographic factors and duration of camp stay were not associated significantly with PTSD diagnosis. Probable PTSD rates among male and female IDPs in Iraq are substantial. Although no gender differences were found in probable PTSD rates between female and male Iraqi IDPs, the rate of common mental disorders cases was higher among females and they presented with higher levels of somatic and depressive/anxious symptoms. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms contributing to gender differences in PTSD.

中文翻译：

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伊拉克境内流离失所者的创伤经历、创伤后应激障碍及相关症状的性别差异

伊拉克冲突导致大量伊拉克人境内流离失所，对其心理健康造成很大影响。之前的一些研究调查了伊拉克国内流离失所者（IDP）精神障碍的性别差异。本研究的目的是评估 2014 年恐怖袭击后伊拉克国内流离失所者在创伤经历类型、创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD) 患病率以及其他常见精神障碍症状（抑郁、焦虑和抑郁）方面的性别差异。躯体化症状）。2015 年 4 月至 6 月，对居住在伊拉克杜胡克国内流离失所者营地的 358 名女性和 464 名男性成年国内流离失所者进行了一项横断面调查。哈佛创伤问卷（HTQ）、一般健康问卷（GHQ-28）和自我报告问卷（SRQ-20）由当地访谈员应用。使用独立样本t检验对两种性别之间这些指标的得分进行比较。进行逻辑回归分析以确定 PTSD 的预测因子。尽管女性和男性国内流离失所者经历的创伤事件类型几乎相似，但男性报告称更容易遭受战斗、酷刑、压迫和个人财产破坏（t分别= 3.718和4.758，p < 0.001 ）。总体而言，男性比女性经历更多事件 ( p < 0.001)。PTSD 可能患病率（女性为 29.1%，男性为 31.9%）没有显着差异 ( p = 0.212)。女性国内流离失所者比男性报告更多的躯体症状 ( p < 0.001) 和抑郁/焦虑症状 ( p < 0.001)。人口因素和营地停留时间与 PTSD 诊断没有显着相关性。伊拉克男性和女性国内流离失所者中创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD) 的发生率很高。尽管伊拉克境内流离失所者中女性和男性的创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD) 发生率没有性别差异，但女性常见精神障碍病例的发生率较高，而且她们表现出较高水平的躯体症状和抑郁/焦虑症状。需要进一步的研究来阐明导致 PTSD 性别差异的根本机制。