Introduction and Aim:

Displacement in Iraq has been widespread and for frequent periods. Education was one of the most prominent victims of displacement at all levels, including higher education. This study aims to assess the impact of displacement on the psychosocial and health status of undergraduate students living in student accommodation of Anbar University, Iraq.

Materials and Methods:

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 3rd to 17^th April 2017. Data was collected using a universal sampling technique (all the student who resident in the hostel of Anbar University were surveyed). Students of whatever gender who were residing in the hostel, studying (full-time) in any faculty of Anbar University, available and willing to participate were included. List of all residents in the student hostel was obtained from the university registration office and confirmed with hostel administration before contacting the students. Two separated student accommodations belong to Anbar University were detected; the first hostel was for male students with a total of 154 residents and the second was for female students which included 278 residents. A total of 355 students (Response Rate: 82.1%.) completed a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire consisting of 21 close-ended questions. In the first part, eight questions assess the health status of students during the displacement period including the general health, mental disorders, nutrition and whether health services available or not. In the second half including thirteen questions focusing on the impact of displacement on the continuity of education, behavior of students, use of social media, and how to deal with new emerging problem in the displacement filed. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16. Descriptive data presented as the mean and standard deviation (SD). The study was approved by the Ethic Committee of the Scientific Issues and Postgraduate Studies Unit, College of Medicine, University of Anbar (Ref: SR/2841 at 05-December -2016).

Results:

The mean age (±SD) was 22.1 (±1.7) years (range 18-29). More than half of the respondents (60.6%) were females, and the female to male ratio was 3:2. About two-third 240, 67.6% of students experienced some mental disorders. Moreover, 25.1% of students confirmed that the mental disorders were negatively related to their level of performance in college, and the treatment was not available for 31.0% of them. Because of internal displacement, about 45.5% of surveyed students had lost at least one academic year, and 17.5% began to smoke tobacco during the ID period. However, the social and psychological support was absent for about 57.4% of respondents.

Discussion and Recommendations:

A considerable number of students reported weak academic performance due to poor psychosocial and economic situation. Lack of treatment and moral support when needed and the invalidity of the accommodation coupled with a lack of services were the most determinants of health among the internally displaced students. The social problems were summarized in the difficulty of mixing with a relatively alien environment, which gave rise to isolation.

Keywords: Internal Displacement, Students, Conflict, Psychosocial, Health, Iraq