The level of depression suffered by women in the Travelling community is more than three times that of settled women, according to new research. The study also shows that 34 per cent of Traveller women suffer from long-term depression.
The study, conducted on behalf of Pavee Point, the organisation committed to the rights of Irish Travellers, measured depression among Travellers for the first time.
Ms Brigid Quirke, health co-ordinator with Pavee Point, said factors influencing the high level of depression included accommodation problems, fear of eviction and discrimination.
The Traveller women's health research also found that just 54 per cent of Traveller women described their health as good or very good, compared to 75 per cent for settled women. Ms Quirke added that Traveller women live 12 years less than settled women.
More than half the Traveller women in the study, conducted in four Dublin suburbs, had never done a breast self-examination or attended a six-week check-up after giving birth. Most, however, took their babies for their six-week check-ups.
The research was published in conjunction with the launch of a video and workbook to educate Traveller women on health screening, family planning, antenatal care and the menopause.