Post-traumatic stress disorder among healthcare professionals in a tertiary hospital in conflict-affected North-East Nigeria

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common and multifaceted mental health condition that may result from exposure to traumatic events, with a significant impact on an individual’s mental well-being. This study assessed the burden of PTSD and identified associated factors among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital located in a conflict zone in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey employing convenience sampling was conducted among 165 eligible doctors and nurses. Data was collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) to assess PTSD, and the Life Event Checklist (LEC-5) to assess participants’ exposure to potentially traumatic life events. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with significance set at p < 0.05. Significant PTSD symptoms were present in 28.5% of participants (mean age 33.64 years). No significant gender or occupational differences were observed in hyperarousal, avoidance, re-experiencing, or negative cognition subscales ( p > 0.05), and PTSD was not significantly associated with gender, age, religion, or occupation. Being a victim of insurgency was independently associated with higher odds of PTSD (β = 2.402, aOR = 11.04, 95% CI: 2.74–44.42; p = 0.001), as was a history of substance use (β = 3.464, aOR = 31.94, 95% CI: 10.29–89.09; p < 0.001). The model showed good fit (Hosmer–Lemeshow p = 0.930), with a Nagelkerke R² of 0.667. Conversely, not experiencing or witnessing severe human suffering was associated with lower odds of PTSD (β= -3.817, aOR = 0.022, 95% CI: 0.002–0.219; p = 0.001). The burden of PTSD among healthcare workers in conflict-affected zones was considerable. Thus, targeted interventions would be needed to address this burden and mitigate its potential impacts on health workers in conflict-affected areas.