Self-perceived mental health and psychosocial support competence among nurses in conflict-affected areas in sudan: a cross-sectional study

To assess nurses’ self-perceived competence in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and their war-related exposure in two conflict-affected teaching hospitals in Sudan. Armed conflict increases psychological distress while weakening health systems and specialist mental health capacities. Nurses are often the first health professionals to encounter conflict-affected patients and families; however, evidence of their MHPSS preparedness in Sudan remains limited. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between March and May 2026, involving a convenience sample of 183 nurses from Haj El-Safi Teaching Hospital in Bahri City and Bashair Teaching Hospital in Khartoum City, Sudan. Participants completed a structured Arabic questionnaire assessing demographic and professional characteristics, 42 items measuring self-perceived MHPSS competence, and five war-related exposure items adapted for frontline healthcare workers. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analysis were performed. Reporting was guided by the STROBE guidelines. Overall mean self-perceived MHPSS competence score was 3.18 ± SD = 0.42. The highest self-perceived competence scores were for psychosocial and mental health assessment (M = 3.91, SD = 1.31), recognition of depressive symptoms (M = 3.78, SD = 1.26), support for survivors of torture (M = 3.70, SD = 1.27), and assessment of urgent patient-safety concerns (M = 3.55, SD = 1.35). The lowest scores were for the classification of mental and psychological disorders (M = 2.40, SD = 1.24), risk assessment and management (M = 2.66, SD = 1.20), and advocacy for war victims (M = 2.74, SD = 1.15). Overall, mean war-related exposure score was 2.56 ± SD = 0.54, with the highest exposure reported for caring and managing someone injured because of the war (M = 3.62, SD = 0.97). Self-perceived MHPSS competence differed significantly by age, educational level, marital status, and experience. A weak positive correlation was observed between war-related exposure and self-perceived MHPSS competence ( r = 0.202, p = 0.006). Nurses in conflict-affected Sudan reported a mean self-perceived MHPSS competence score of 3.18 and a mean war-related exposure score of 2.56. The findings suggest priorities for competency-based MHPSS education, structured risk assessment, referral pathways, supervision, and staff support.