Probable Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Kenya and Its Associated Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Household Survey

Rachel Jenkins, Caleb Othieno, Raymond Omollo, Linnet Ongeri, Peter Sifuna, James Kingora Mboroki, David Kiima and Bernhards Ogutu
Additional contact information
Rachel Jenkins: Health Services and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, de Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
Caleb Othieno: Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, Kenya, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. P. O. Box 19676-00202
Raymond Omollo: Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54-40100 Kisumu, Kenya
Linnet Ongeri: Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54-40100 Kisumu, Kenya
Peter Sifuna: Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54-40100 Kisumu, Kenya
James Kingora Mboroki: Kenya Medical Training College, Nairobi P.O.Box 30195-00100, Kenya
David Kiima: Ministry of Health, Nairobi P.O. Box 30016-00100, Kenya
Bernhards Ogutu: Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54-40100 Kisumu, Kenya

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and its associated risk factors in a general household population in Kenya. Data were drawn from a cross-sectional household survey of mental disorders and their associated risk factors. The participants received a structured epidemiological assessment of common mental disorders, and symptoms of PTSD, accompanied by additional sections on socio-demographic data, life events, social networks, social supports, disability/activities of daily living, quality of life, use of health services, and service use. The study found that 48% had experienced a severe trauma, and an overall prevalence rate of 10.6% of probable PTSD, defined as a score of six or more on the trauma screening questionnaire (TSQ). The conditional probability of PTSD was 0.26. Risk factors include being female, single, self-employed, having experienced recent life events, having a common mental disorder (CMD)and living in an institution before age 16. The study indicates that probable PTSD is prevalent in this rural area of Kenya. The findings are relevant for the training of front line health workers, their support and supervision, for health management information systems, and for mental health promotion in state boarding schools.

Keywords: post-traumatic stress disorder; common mental disorder; Kenya; household survey; health and demographic surveillance systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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