PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDERS AMONG ADOLESCENT REFUGEES LIVING IN GASHORAEMERGENCY TRANSIT MECHANISM CAMP IN RWANDA

Mental health issues contribute significantly to the global health burden of disease, with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affecting approximately 4% of the world's population. Adolescents, particularly refugees, are especially vulnerable to PTSD due to their exposure to traumatic events. This study focused on estimating prevalence and identifying the factors associated with PTSD among adolescent refugees living in the Gashora Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) in Rwanda. The findings from this study are crucial for policymakers in addressing PTSD among adolescent refugees and planning mental health interventions. The results will also help public health professionals to design appropriate psychosocial support programs for this vulnerable population. The aim of the study was to estimate PTSD prevalence and determine factors associated among adolescent refugees living in the Gashora Emergency Transit Mechanism. The cross-sectional design using a quantitative approach was employed. The study targeted 245 adolescent refugees aged 14 to 19 years living in the ETM. A sample of 152 respondents was selected using simple random sampling, calculated using Yamane’s formula [n=N 1+N (e) 2]. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, including socio-demographic information and the PTSD Checklist (DSM-5). The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with results presented in tables and graphics. As result, the findings reveal that 42.8% of adolescents experienced PTSD in the past three months. Adolescents aged 14 15 were 3.5 times more likely to have PTSD compared to those aged 18-19 (COR 3.572, 95% CI 2.946  6.936), and females had a threefold increased risk compared to males (COR 3.358, 95% CI 1.217  9.265). Witnessing the death of a family member or close friend increased the likelihood of PTSD by three times (COR 3.206, 95% CI 1.046  9.821), while losing a family member during migration similarly raised the risk (COR 2.852, 95% CI 1.071  7.594). Adolescents who received support at the ETM were significantly less likely to suffer from PTSD (COR 0.156, 95% CI 0.136 0.927). By conclusion, the study highlights that younger age, female gender, and exposure to traumatic events significantly increase the risk of PTSD among adolescents. However, access to mental health support services plays a critical role in reducing this risk.Mental health issues contribute significantly to the global health burden of disease, with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affecting approximately 4% of the world's population. Adolescents, particularly refugees, are especially vulnerable to PTSD due to their exposure to traumatic events. This study focused on estimating prevalence and identifying the factors associated with PTSD among adolescent refugees living in the Gashora Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) in Rwanda. The findings from this study are crucial for policymakers in addressing PTSD among adolescent refugees and planning mental health interventions. The results will also help public health professionals to design appropriate psychosocial support programs for this vulnerable population. The aim of the study was to estimate PTSD prevalence and determine factors associated among adolescent refugees living in the Gashora Emergency Transit Mechanism. The cross-sectional design using a quantitative approach was employed. The study targeted 245 adolescent refugees aged 14 to 19 years living in the ETM. A sample of 152 respondents was selected using simple random sampling, calculated using Yamane’s formula [n=N 1+N (e) 2]. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, including socio-demographic information and the PTSD Checklist (DSM-5). The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with results presented in tables and graphics. As result, the findings reveal that 42.8% of adolescents experienced PTSD in the past three months. Adolescents aged 14 15 were 3.5 times more likely to have PTSD compared to those aged 18-19 (COR 3.572, 95% CI 2.946  6.936), and females had a threefold increased risk compared to males (COR 3.358, 95% CI 1.217  9.265). Witnessing the death of a family member or close friend increased the likelihood of PTSD by three times (COR 3.206, 95% CI 1.046  9.821), while losing a family member during migration similarly raised the risk (COR 2.852, 95% CI 1.071  7.594). Adolescents who received support at the ETM were significantly less likely to suffer from PTSD (COR 0.156, 95% CI 0.136  0.927). By conclusion, the study highlights that younger age, female gender, and exposure to traumatic events significantly increase the risk of PTSD among adolescents. However, access to mental health support services plays a critical role in reducing this risk.