Prevalence and Risk Factors of PTSD in Displaced Children and Adolescents

Khulood Mohammed ¹, Ammar Suliman ², * Sharif Ahmed ³ Nosaiba  aljack ⁴

Abstract

Doi : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17807839

Background : Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a significant mental health concern among children and adolescents from displaced areas, often stemming from exposure to war, conflict, and forced migration. These experiences disrupt normal development and increase vulnerability to psychological distress. Studies have shown that displaced youth frequently exhibit symptoms such as re-experiencing trauma, emotional numbness, and hyperarousal, underscoring the need to address PTSD in this population to  foster resilience and improve long-term mental health outcomes.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of PTSD and its associated factors among Sudanese children and adolescents living in displacement shelters in Kassala, Eastern Sudan.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional community-based study was conducted in Kassala displacement shelters targeting Sudanese children and adolescents aged 8–18 years. A sample of 384 participants was selected by simple random sampling. Data were collected through structured, closed-ended interviews using a PTSD checklist (PCL-M). PTSD was assessed with a cutoff score of 44. Data were analyzed with SPSS 28.0, using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests for associations.

Results: Of the 384 participants (mean age ~13 years), 52.6% were female and 92.0% were of low socioeconomic status. Most originated from Khartoum State (70.0%). The mean PTSD checklist score was 52.3 (SD = 8.7). PTSD prevalence was 50.8%, using the cutoff score of 44. Younger age and lower education level were significantly associated with higher PTSD prevalence (p < 0.05). No significant association was found between PTSD and socioeconomic status (p = 0.78).
Conclusion:There is a high prevalence of PTSD among displaced Sudanese children and adolescents in Kassala shelters, reflecting the heavy psychological toll of conflict on youth. Younger children and those with less education were more likely to have PTSD, indicating the need for targeted mental health interventions for these groups. Although socioeconomic status was not significantly linked to PTSD in this study, the overall findings highlight the importance of addressing mental health challenges among displaced youth to promote resilience and well-being.