Reintegration of child soldiers in Burundi: a tracer study

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Aline Ndayisaba¹  Brandon A Kohrt²  Theodora Nisabwe³  Wietse A Tol⁴  Mark JD Jordans⁵  Ivan H Komproe⁶ 

[1]Burundi Country Office, HealthNet TPO, Bujumbura, Burundi

[2]Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, George Washington University, Washington, D.C, USA

[3]Department of Psychology, Bujumbura University, Bujumbura, Burundi

[4]Department of Research & Development, HealthNet TPO, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

[5]Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins, New Haven, USA

[6]Department of Research & Development, HealthNet TPO, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

[7]Center for Global Mental Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK

[8]Department of Research & Development, HealthNet TPO, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

[9]Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

关键词: Child soldiers;    Reintegration;    Mental health;    Conflict;    Burundi;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-12-905

 received in 2012-02-25, accepted in 2012-10-15,  发布年份 2012

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundSubstantial attention and resources are aimed at the reintegration of child soldiers, yet rigorous evaluations are rare.MethodsThis tracer study was conducted among former child soldiers (N=452) and never-recruited peers (N=191) who participated in an economic support program in Burundi. Socio-economic outcome indicators were measured retrospectively for the period before receiving support (T1; 2005–06); immediately afterwards (T2; 2006–07); and at present (T3; 2010). Participants also rated present functional impairment and mental health indicators.ResultsParticipants reported improvement on all indicators, especially economic opportunity and social integration. At present no difference existed between both groups on any of the outcome indicators. Socio-economic functioning was negatively related with depression- and, health complaints and positively with intervention satisfaction.ConclusionThe present study demonstrates promising reintegration trajectories of former child soldiers after participating in a support program.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Jordans et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2012