An in-depth Study on the impacts of Operation Murambatsvina Table 3: Comparison of scores over sample sites SRQ-8 Total Score on Trauma OVT items Score Harare 5.4[2.3] 6.9[4.5] 1.5[1.7] [n=570] Bulawayo 3.7[2.5] 5.2[3.7] 1.2[1.5] [n=386] Mutare 4.9[2.5] 6.7[3.6] 1.5[1.5] [n=239] Total: 4.8[2.5] 6.3[4.2]* 1.4[1.6]* Score on OM items 3.4[2.2] No. of different years affected 3.8[1.4] 2.6[1.7] 4.1[1.4] 3.1[2.03] 4.5[1.3] 3.1[2.03]* 4.03[1.4]* *xxxix As can be seen in Table 3 above, there are regional variations in the scores derived from the questionnaires, but, overall, there are significant relationships between the probability of psychological disorder and the total number of trauma events reported [Total Trauma Score], the number of trauma events indicative of violence [OVT items], the number of trauma events indicative of displacement [OM items], and the number of different time periods in which trauma was experienced. As can be seen [footnote 24 below] the strongest relationship was with OM items on the Trauma Questionnaire. Therefore, our data show the following: • • • • A significant relationship between current psychological disorder and the number of trauma events reported; A significant relationship between current psychological disorder and trauma due to OVT [organized violence and torture]; A significant relationship between current psychological disorder and trauma due to displacement events [OM items]; A significant relationship between current psychological disorder and repeated exposure to trauma. Thus, our data indicate that the severity of trauma, the effects of OVT and displacements [OM items], and the number of times trauma is experienced are all significantly related to psychological disorder. There is, thus, a “dose-response” effect found, and Operation Murambatsvina has contributed significantly to this effect. Table 4: Correlations between SRQ-8 and Total Trauma score per year <1980 1980-1987 1990-1997 1998-2000 2001-2004 2005 0.034 0.022 0.064* 0.098** 0.11** 0.113** *p=0.01; **p=0.05 Finally, as can be seen from Table 4 above, there are interesting relations between psychological disorder and the contribution of trauma reported by time period. The strongest relationship is with trauma reported in 2005, but the trend is towards increasing levels since the 1990s. 16