Exposure to Violence and Academic Performance among Sample of Students in Baghdad
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: For more than three decades, the Iraqi nation as a whole has been
suffering from wars, sanctions and widespread violence. The Iraqi children and youth have
been so greatly affected by these dire conditions. Few reports were demonstrating the
effect of exposure to wars and conflicts on mental health of Iraqis.
Objective: To explore the effect of exposure to violence and trauma of wars on the
academic performance of youths in Baghdad.
Methods: A total of 319 university students from Baghdad University and their residency
in Baghdad governorate were selected conveniently to participate in the study. Each
student filled a questionnaire consisted of Iraqi version of Harvard Trauma questionnaire
(HTQ) in addition to demographic data. The Harvard Trauma questionnaire included 28
items to measure exposure to violence and 45 items to diagnose posttraumatic stress
disorder. A score > 2.5 was considered significant for meeting criteria of posttraumatic
stress disorder symptoms. Learning year failure was taken as indicator to poor academic
performance.
Results: Out of the total, the students with academic failure were 95 (29.8%). A significant
higher rate of academic failure was reported among males than females. No statistical
association between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and academic year failure.
Conclusion: Violence exposure was significantly affecting the academic performance
among students in Baghdad.
Copyright (c) 2014 Iraqi Medical Journal
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