Prevalence and correlates of posttraumatic stress in HIV lay counsellors in Nkangala district, South Africa

This study evaluated the prevalence and correlates of posttraumatic stress in a sample of HIV lay counsellors in South Africa. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 117 HIV lay counsellors in 71 health facilities in one health district (Nkangala) in Mpumalanga province in South Africa. Results indicate that half of the HIV lay counsellors (49.6%) counselled 6 to 10 clients on average per day, 19.7% saw 11 or more clients on an average day, and 20.5% indicated that they were HIV positive. About half (49.5%) were not satisfied with their work environment; 5.1% met the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and 19.7% scored on the subthreshold PTSD. Personal history, including being attacked by a weapon, being a victim of physical assault, witnessing a physical assault, witnessing or experiencing a serious accident or injury, and perceived responsibility for serious injury or death of another person were significantly associated with severity of PTSD symptoms. In univariate analysis, lifetime trauma experiences were associated with full or threshold PTSD.