Trauma experience of north Korean refugees in China

Objectives: We examined trauma experience and mental health conditions amon g North Korean migrants in China, Methods: Personal interviews of 170 North Korean "food refugees" in China w ere conducted in 1999. Structured questionnaires were used to identify spec ific trauma experience and symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression. Results: All participants surveyed reported trauma exposure, with food and water shortage (93%) and illness without access to medical care (89%) being the most frequently cited events. Post-traumatic stress disorder was suspe cted in 56% of the respondents. Above-threshold scores on anxiety and depre ssion were found in 90% and 81% of the cases, respectively. Conclustions: The burden on the part of North Korean migrants in China who experience trauma appears to be very high. An international call for action is warranted to monitor and safeguard the mental health status of this vul nerable segment of people and respond to their urgent psychiatric and medic al care needs.