Prevalence of torture and trauma history among immigrants in primary care in Denmark: do general practitioners ask?
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Prevalence of torture and trauma history among immigrants in primary care in Denmark : do general practitioners ask? / Ostergaard, Liv Stubbe; Wallach-Kildemoes, Helle; Thøgersen, Marie H.; Dragsted, Ulrik B.; Oxholm, Annemette; Hartling, Ole; Norredam, Marie.
In: European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 30, No. 6, 2020, p. 1163-1168.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence of torture and trauma history among immigrants in primary care in Denmark
T2 - do general practitioners ask?
AU - Ostergaard, Liv Stubbe
AU - Wallach-Kildemoes, Helle
AU - Thøgersen, Marie H.
AU - Dragsted, Ulrik B.
AU - Oxholm, Annemette
AU - Hartling, Ole
AU - Norredam, Marie
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - BACKGROUND: Torture survivors typically present with varied and complex symptoms, which may challenge assessment by general practitioners (GPs). This study explored the prevalence of torture and trauma history among immigrants born in non-Western countries presenting to GPs in Denmark and the extent to which GPs ask this population about torture or trauma history. METHODS: Based on a self-reported questionnaire among non-western immigrant patients, we used bivariate analyses to determine the prevalence of torture and trauma history and the proportion of patients being asked by their GP about this. Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: From 46 GP clinics, 300 questionnaires were finalized by immigrant patients. Twenty-eight percent of the patients had a history of torture. Of these, significantly more were men (70%) than women (29%). About half of the torture survivors (55%) had been asked by their GP about torture history. The odds ratio (OR, 95% confidence interval) for being asked about torture history by the GP was 1.28 (0.46-3.53) among women compared with men. Compared with Southeast Europe, OR for being a torture survivor among male immigrants from Middle East-North African region and South and East Asia was 1.83 (0.81-4.15) and 0.25 (0.08-0.82), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that torture and trauma are widespread among immigrants presenting to GPs. In our study, the GPs had managed to detect half of the torture survivors. A more systematic approach to detection in General Practice is advisable, and more knowledge on how and when to ask is needed.
AB - BACKGROUND: Torture survivors typically present with varied and complex symptoms, which may challenge assessment by general practitioners (GPs). This study explored the prevalence of torture and trauma history among immigrants born in non-Western countries presenting to GPs in Denmark and the extent to which GPs ask this population about torture or trauma history. METHODS: Based on a self-reported questionnaire among non-western immigrant patients, we used bivariate analyses to determine the prevalence of torture and trauma history and the proportion of patients being asked by their GP about this. Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: From 46 GP clinics, 300 questionnaires were finalized by immigrant patients. Twenty-eight percent of the patients had a history of torture. Of these, significantly more were men (70%) than women (29%). About half of the torture survivors (55%) had been asked by their GP about torture history. The odds ratio (OR, 95% confidence interval) for being asked about torture history by the GP was 1.28 (0.46-3.53) among women compared with men. Compared with Southeast Europe, OR for being a torture survivor among male immigrants from Middle East-North African region and South and East Asia was 1.83 (0.81-4.15) and 0.25 (0.08-0.82), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that torture and trauma are widespread among immigrants presenting to GPs. In our study, the GPs had managed to detect half of the torture survivors. A more systematic approach to detection in General Practice is advisable, and more knowledge on how and when to ask is needed.
U2 - 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa138
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa138
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 32840309
AN - SCOPUS:85098471673
VL - 30
SP - 1163
EP - 1168
JO - European Journal of Public Health
JF - European Journal of Public Health
SN - 1101-1262
IS - 6
ER -
ID: 256208895