Violence Exposure in Kashmir
Author Information
Author(s): de Jong Kaz, Ford Nathan, Kam Saskia van de, Lokuge Kamalini, Fromm Silke, van Galen Renate, Reilley Brigg, Kleber Rolf
Primary Institution: Médecins Sans Frontières
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence of violence and its impact on mental health in the Kashmir Valley?
Conclusion
The civilian population in Kashmir is exposed to high levels of violence, which may lead to significant health issues, including mental health problems.
Supporting Evidence
- 85.7% of respondents reported exposure to crossfire since the start of the conflict.
- 82.7% reported being exposed to round-up raids.
- 66.9% witnessed torture.
- 33.7% experienced forced labor.
- 16.9% reported being arrested or kidnapped.
Takeaway
People in Kashmir see and experience a lot of violence, which can make them very sad or scared. This study shows that men see and experience more violence than women.
Methodology
A two-stage cluster household survey was conducted in two districts of Kashmir to assess experiences with violence and mental health.
Potential Biases
Possible bias due to the selection of one person per household and the retrospective nature of the study.
Limitations
Potential selection bias as only people at home were interviewed, and recall bias may affect the accuracy of reported experiences.
Participant Demographics
The average age of respondents was 37.7 years, with an equal gender distribution (53% male). Most respondents were married and half had no formal schooling.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
CI: 2.7–5.7
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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