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PTSD RESEARCH PROJECT

Research project into the incidence and treatment resources available for persons suffering with PTSD 

THE COLLABORATION

Working with a local Doctor and Medicine Hat College, Global Village established a Research project into the incidence and treatment resources available for immigrant individuals suffering with PTSD 

Dr. Kadima arrived at the South Shore Clinic in Brooks and noted seemingly high number of immigrant individuals potentially with PTSD.

From Global Village, Ahmed Kassem, and
Dr. Kadima approached Medicine Hat College for interest in collaborative research.

From Medicine Hat College Main Campus,
Dr. Nicole Burnett, Donna Wood and
Dr. Elizabeth Pennefather-O’Brien worked with Dr. Kadima and Ahmed Kassem on a proposal for research.

experience way finding new path-SPEC-01.

THE STUDY

This research project focused on the incidence of PTSD in the rural Southern Alberta immigrant population in Brooks and Newell County.
The objectives included:
DIVERSITY

Describing the diversity of the immigrant population in rural southern Alberta​​

PREVALENCE

Assessing the prevalence, and severity, of PTSD among the immigrants/refugees in rural southern Alberta

EXPERIENCE

Identifying the types of stressful experiences that may have contributed to the experience of PTSD by those immigrants/refugees

THE MEASURES

1.

Demographics
  • Gender

  • Age

  • Marital status

  • Language

  • Immigration Status

  • Refugee Status

3.

Life Events Checklist (LEC-5)
  • Given alongside the PCL-5

  • Assesses frequency of exposure to traumatic events

  • E.g., natural disaster, assault, accidents, combat, etc.

2.

PTSD Checklist (PCL-5)
  • Measures presence of PTSD symptoms outlined in the DSM-5

  • 20 questions; rated on 4 point Likert scale, increasing in severity

  • A score of 33+ indicates presence of PTSD symptoms (max score is 60)

3.

Culture Shock Questionnaire
  • Assess issues frequently experienced when integrating into a new culture

  • 7 questions; rated in severity from 0-2points

  • Rating of 7+ indicates presence of culture shock (Max Score 14)

189 Refugees
120 PTSD cases
100 Culture Shock cases

63%

of sample collected display PTSD symptoms

60%

of sample collected are Refugees

53%

of sample collected display symptoms of Culture Shock

37%

of the City of Brooks population represents a visible minority

RESULTS

25 countries represented. PTSD incidence highest among those from: Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria
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This project was done in partnership with:

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