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Knowledge and quality of life in female torture survivors

Original Publication Date: December 13, 2016
Last Updated: March 27, 2023
Estimated Read Time: < 1 minute

Pabilonia W, Combs SP, Cook PF. Torture. 2010;20(1):4-22.

Immigrant women represent disadvantaged and vulnerable members of the torture survivor population. They tend to be isolated and have negative coping strategies resulting in poor health and well-being. The purpose of this pilot study is to develop and evaluate an educational and interactive women’s health-based programme using health promotion and empowerment strategies, with the intent of using the knowledge gained to contribute to an ongoing women’s health programme.

Little is currently known about health-based interventions for the vulnerable population of female torture survivors. Public health nurses and other professionals who work with this population have a unique opportunity to influence behavior change and promote empowerment in this population. The techniques employed in this study can be used by public health nurses as a basis for designing women’s health-based programmes at other torture treatment centres throughout the world.

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