Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Formerly Political Prisoners in Iraq: A Preliminary Report

Nabeel M. Al-Dakheely | Saja M. Hashim | Jawad K. Al-Diwan

Abstract: Background Iraqi political prisoners were subjected to regular physical and psychological torture. Both physical and psychological torture methods were associated with increased PTSD symptoms, especially when combined. In Iraq, several articles were published on PTSD, but no study was focused on former political prisoners or torture victims. Therefore, this study was carried out to estimate rate of PTSD among former political prisoners in Iraq. Methods A total of 400 formerly political prisoners was participated in this study. Their age was 55.4 12.6 years with male to female ratio 4.61. They were recruited from Political Prisoners Establishment. Iraqi Version of Harvard Trauma Questionnaire was used to assess PTSD and exposure to trauma in prison and during widespread violence in Iraq after 2003. Results Out of total, 331 (82.7 %) had PTSD. No significant association between PTSD and year of detention was observed. Conclusion High rate of PTSD among formerly political prisoners. Years of detention and years after prison were not predictors of PTSD.

Keywords: PTSD, political prisoners, torture

Edition: Volume 4 Issue 5, May 2015,

Pages: 1828 - 1830