Prevalence and associated risk factors of probable PTSD among internally displaced people in Southwest Ethiopia

The predominant mental health outcome associated with natural or manufactured disasters and stressful events is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Public health expenditures associated with post-conflict situations constrain research on PTSD in low-income nations. The main objective of this study was to ascertain the prevalence and risk factors for PTSD among internally displaced individuals in the Gura Ferda district of southwestern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional survey was undertaken among internally displaced individuals in the Gura Ferda district of southwestern Ethiopia from January 1 to February 1, 2022. The prevalence of Probable PTSD symptoms among residents was 51.2%. The results revealed that female (AOR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.13-3.16), alcohol consumption (AOR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.03-3.39), khat chewing (AOR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.05-5.78), family history of mental illness (AOR: 10.67, 95% CI: 4.36-38.03), previous history of mental illness (AOR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.35-4.87), destruction of personal property (AOR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.24-4.06), lack of food or water (AOR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.10-3.69), physical injury (AOR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.10-3.85), and illness without medical care (AOR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.24-3.68) were independently associated with probable PTSD.