Mental health status and mental healthcare seeking behaviors among residents of gaza WHO were exposed to conflict

Introduction and aim: The conflict that took place in Gaza between 10-21 May 2021 had a profound impact on the lives of its residents. In conflict-affected regions, mental health is a pressing concern, with depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) being common conditions. This study aim is built to research the rates of depression and PTSD among individuals who were affected by this conflict, explore the utilization of mental health services, and discern the reasons for not seeking these services. Methods: The study included 555 participants who witnessed the May 2021 conflict in Gaza. The participants' demographics, mental health status, and utilization of mental health services were analyzed. A special focus was given to the influence of factors like gender, age, marital status, and educational level on mental health outcomes. The study used PCLC scale for detecting PTSD, also PHQ9 for detecting depression. Results: The majority of the participants were females (85.9%), with most falling in the 20-30 age bracket (69.2%). The findings indicate that depression and PTSD are highly prevalent among the population, with the percent of 76.9% indicating moderate to severe symptoms of PTSD. In addition, data reveals that a considerable proportion of participants (43.6%) reported experiencing moderate symptoms to severe depression symptoms. A significant relationship between witnessing multiple conflicts and the severity of these conditions was clearly obtained. Multiple descriptive factors affected these ratios, like age, gender, marital status and employment status. Females exhibited higher rates of PTSD in comparison to males. Single participants exhibited higher levels of PTSD and depression compared to their married counterparts. Further, individuals with higher education levels had higher rates of depression. Utilization of mental health services was limited, with various factors inhibiting access. Conclusion: The results underscore the significance of mental health concerns among residents in conflict-affected areas like Gaza. A need for targeted interventions and accessible mental health services to address the psychological well-being of these individuals is obvious, with specific attention to the demographic factors that influence mental health outcomes. Keywords: Gaza Strip, Conflict, Mental Health, Depression, PTSD, Mental Health Services, Access to Healthcare.