<b>Assessment of stress levels, environmental conditions and associated factors in Pakistan's conflict-affected region: A cross-sectional study in Leepa valley, Azad Jammu and Ka</b><b>shmir.</b>

<b>Background:</b> The border area of Leepa Valley bears witness to the persistent echoes of gunfire. The delivery of mental health services in such areas presents enormous challenges, including limited access to trained mental health professionals, stigma surrounding mental illness, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. This study highlights the mental health status and resilience of residents of Leepa Valley.<b>Objectives:</b> To assess mental health status along with the socio-economic and environmental conditions in the Conflict-Affected Region of Leepa Valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan.<b>Methodology:</b> A cross-sectional study was executed by circulating a self-structured questionnaire among the patients at a Medical Camp in Leepa. Sample size was calculated by Raosoft. A total of 152 participants were included in the study.<b>Results: </b>An overwhelming majority of 84.1% reported high perceived stress based on the Perceived Stress Scale. 78.3% of individuals reported that their daily life activities were affected by border-related activities. Moreover, 76.3% reported decreased employment opportunities in Leepa Valley due to the ongoing border conflicts.<b>Conclusion:</b> The findings of this study underscore the profound psychological toll of prolonged conflict on individuals and communities, shedding light on the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the complex interplay of mental health challenges and socio-environmental stressors.<b>背景：</b>利普谷（Leepa Valley）边境区域长期回荡着枪炮声。在此类区域开展精神卫生服务面临诸多严峻挑战，包括合格精神卫生专业人员资源匮乏、精神疾病病耻感普遍存在以及医疗基础设施不足。本研究聚焦巴基斯坦阿扎德查谟和克什米尔地区利普谷冲突影响区域居民的精神健康状况与心理韧性。<b>研究目标：</b>评估巴基斯坦阿扎德查谟和克什米尔地区利普谷冲突影响区域居民的精神健康状况，以及其社会经济与环境条件。<b>研究方法：</b>本研究采用横断面研究设计，通过在利普谷义诊营地向就诊患者发放自制问卷开展调研。样本量通过Raosoft软件计算得出，最终纳入152名研究对象。<b>研究结果：</b>基于知觉压力量表（Perceived Stress Scale）评估结果，84.1%的受访者报告存在高水平知觉压力；78.3%的受访者表示其日常生活受到边境相关活动的影响；另有76.3%的受访者称，持续的边境冲突导致利普谷地区就业机会减少。<b>研究结论：</b>本研究结果证实长期冲突对个体与社区造成了严重的心理创伤，同时凸显了针对精神健康挑战与社会环境应激源之间复杂相互作用开展针对性干预的迫切必要性。