Razieh Khorramabadi

Background: Afghan refugees make up a significant population and it is necessary to assess the mental health status of this group. Aim: The general purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the prevalence of mental disorders in different age groups of Afghan immigrants living in Tehran province. Methodology: The present study was conducted by descriptive-comparative method. In this study, the statistical population included all Afghan immigrants living in Tehran province. A total of 506 people were selected by available methods and evaluated with the SCL90 Psychological Disorders Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (chi-square) methods. Conclusions: The results showed that a total of 18.8% had no disorder. 48.2% had mild disorders, 23.3% had moderate disorders and 9.7% had severe disorders. Women scored higher than men in terms of morbid fear, sensitivity in relationships, and physical complaints. Men had higher scores for depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (P <0.05). People with higher education, younger age, housing, longer stay, healthy body, no drug use have higher mental health. According to the findings, 81.2% reported mild to severe psychological disorders, and the most common association with illness was psychosis and physical complaints. Old age, low education, poor financial status, shorter migration time, illness and drug use were some of the factors that increased psychological problems.