Assessing the frequency of post-traumatic stress disorders among Tikrit University students after mass displacement in 2014

Abstract

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder is defined as the combination of three clusters of symptoms which are re- experiencing, avoidance and hyperarousal, persisting for at least one month, in survivors of a traumatic event, and it differs from other mental disorders.  
Aim: This study performed to assess the presence and frequency of post- traumatic stress disorders among Tikrit University students after mass displacement in June 2014.
Patients and Methods: The current study is cross-sectional study done from 1st of November 2017- 1st of March 2018 as 300 students involved in the study who exposed to trauma after Salahaldeen mass displacement in June 2014 were surveyed. Students chosen as cluster (nine colleges) sample then simple random sampling. Data collected from Tikrit Universities-Iraq. The  demographic  information,  type  of  exposure,  common  complains, family history, coping mechanisms and  other associated psychological disorders  have  been  described.  The  study  depends  in  diagnosis  on Dia gnostic a nd Sta tistical Ma nua l of Menta l Disorder s fifth edition (DSM- 5) cr iter ia.
Results: From a total 300 students (who exposed to trauma) there were (52.7%) students had post-traumatic stress disorders, (51.3%) of those were females. Frequent type of exposure to traumatic events affecting post- traumatic  stress  disorders  outcome  was  relative  or  close  friend  death (46.2%) in males while 44.1% females. Most frequent coping mechanism of post-traumatic stress disorders was reading Koran or praying (32.6%) of cases.  Most  frequent  psychological  disorders  associated  with  post- traumatic stress disorders was phobic disorders 27% among male gender, while anxiety most frequent among females were 20.4%.  
Conclusion:  The study showed the frequency of Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were high, especially in those who experienced multiple traumatic events and most frequent in female gender, Most traumatic event that the Post-traumatic stress disorder cases were exposed to it were death of relative or close friends 
Recommendations: 
Patients had post-traumatic stress disorder need regular supervision by mental health care professional  to provide them with knowledge and treatment.