Speaker
Description
Background: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among survivors of Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in war-affected zones is a pressing public health issue, as these individuals often endure compounded trauma from both the violence they experience and the broader context of conflict. Post-traumatic stress disorders are overlooked in Ethiopian society, despite the country having the greatest number of victims of violence and its detrimental effects on mental health. This study aimed to explore PTSD in Sexual Gender-Based Violence Survivors attending one-stop centers in war-affected Zones, Amhara, Ethiopia.
Method: A cross-sectional study design was carried out among 321 individuals at least 15 years old at the time of attendance at the one-stop center in December/2022 and January 2023. The research participants were chosen by a systematic random sampling method. The outcome measure used in the study was the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL). Data was entered into the Epi-data version 4.6 and it was exported to SPSS version 26 statistical software for further analysis. Pretested, structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews were used for data collection. To identify factors associated with PTSD, bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were performed. Variables in multivariable logistic regression with a p-value of less than 0.05 were considered significant, and the strength of the association was present using adjusted OR (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval.
Result: The prevalence of posttraumatic disorder among participants was found to be 36.4 % (95% CI:30.8,36.4). In multivariable analysis, experiencing multiple violence history (AOR=3.34; 95% CI 1.44, 7.77), family history of suicide (AOR=3.26; 95% CI 1.49, 7.16), and depression (AOR=8.71; 95% CI 4.84,15.67) were variables significantly associated with PTSD.
Conclusion: This study showed PTSD is extremely common among SGBV survivors in war-affected regions, with experiencing two or more violence history, a family history of suicide, and co-occurring depression as major contributing factors.
Recommendations: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder remains a major challenge among Sexual Gender-Based Violence survivors in Ethiopia’s war-affected zones. Expanding one-stop centers with integrated medical, psychological, and legal support is essential to improve access, quality, and survivor-centered care.
