Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Factors Among Traumatic Patients Attended in Four Government Hospitals, West Ethiopia

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is exposure to actual or threatened death that leads to negative alterations in cognitions and mood, and marked change in arousal and reactivity. The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Patients’ quality of life decreases in almost every dimension after severe trauma.

This study aims to assess the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder and its associated factors among fifteen years and above aged patients with traumatic history for more than one month who attended four government hospitals in East Wollega Zone, West Ethiopia.

An institutional based cross-sectional study was employed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Post-trauma stress disorder symptoms scale was employed to assess the prevalence of post-trauma stress disorder and its associated factors among fifteen years and above aged patients. Study populations were those who had a history of a traumatic injury and attended four government hospitals in East Wollega Zone, West Ethiopia, for more than one month. Study participants were, consecutively, recruited from January to February 2018.

One hundred ninety-three traumatic patients participated in this study. Male participants accounted for 119 (61.7%) and 82 (42.5%) of respondents aged between 15-26 years. The prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in this study was 33 (17.1%). Female traumatic patients were 2.727 times more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder than male respondents (AOR= 2.727, 95% CI: 0.431-4.227). Similarly, participants who were found to be involved in substance abuse were 1.65 times (AOR= 1.65, 95% CI: 0.926-2.782) more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder than their counterparts. Also, daily laborers were 4.05 times (AOR= 4.05, 95% CI: 0.89-8.76) more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder than government employees.

The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, in this study, was 17.1%. Psychological counseling services offered to female patients, daily laborers, and substance abusers can benefit them as they were significantly associated with the post-traumatic stress disorder.