Prevalence of PTSD Among Adolescent Boys in Selected Secondary Schools in Machakos County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Adolescents throughout the world are at risk of developing PTSD. PTSD has detrimental long term effects on every facet of life and has been shown to negatively impact the various areas of life. These areas often include: academic performance, cognitive abilities, emotion regulation and behavioural regulation. In adolescents, PTSD has particularly been implicated in high dropout rates which subsequently leads to poverty, fewer opportunities and a decreased lifespan. Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of PTSD among adolescent boys in selected secondary schools in Machakos County, Kenya. Methods: Two secondary schools were conveniently sampled with a total of 976. The adolescent boys were aged 14-17-years. The respondents filled a Socio-Demographic Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Child PTSD Symptom Scale-V-Self Report (CPSS-V-SR) which screened for PTSD symptoms. Results: The findings showed that the prevalence of PTSD was at 27.6%. The findings also showed that respondents who lived in other counties (exclusive of Nairobi County and Machakos County) had the least frequency of 42 (15.6%) but reported the highest mean PTSD symptoms at 24.5 (±24.5) and a statistically significant mean difference established in the counties p<0.006. Conclusion: The need for psychotherapy in secondary schools is therefore essential in order to alleviate PTSD prevalence. This is also crucial in order to buffer adolescents from comorbid diseases and psychological disorders.

Effectiveness of Guidance and Counselling on Depression among Adolescents in Schools in Kakamega County, Kenya

“…Majority of the respondents were of ages 17 as shown in Table 1. This is supported by Nzangi's study (2022) which found that 16-17-year-old had a higher prevalence of depression than those above 18 years (Nzangi et al, 2022). The study findings also agreed with a South African study among adolescent populations of similar ages (15-19 years) (Ajaero et al, 2018).…”

“…Its prevalence in Africa is higher than in developed countries where it is better managed (Das et al, 2016). Prevalence of depression in Kenyan secondary schools is also high (Osborn et al, 2020: Nyayieka et al, 2020: Nzangi et al, 2022. The prevalence of depression in secondary schools in Kakamega County is 44.8 (Bakesia et al, 2022).…”

Trauma Informed Interventions and Academic Adjustment among Adolescent Students in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya

“…However, due to lack of standardized levels and adequate resources, most students continually keep facing social, psychological and behavioral disengagement because of the uncertainty to deal with the challenges they encounter in their lives. A related study by Mukangi, Nyagwencha & Mogute (2020) highlighted that several adolescents are at risk of post-traumatic effects in their lives particularly among the boys in Machakos area, hence the need for establishing of therapeutic interventions in schools. The Ministry of Health through the Kenya National Framework for the Organization of Trauma Services disclosed that child trauma was attributed to harmful cultural practices, poor social support, violence against children and humanitarian engagements which cause extreme fear and anxiety among others resulting to detrimental effects in the lifetime (MOH, 2021).…”