PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH POST TRUAMATIC STRESS DISORDER AMONG MILITARY PERSONNEL ADMITTED TO MELES CAMPUS MILITARY HOSPITAL, MEKELLE, TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA 2024

Abstract

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder is one of the major mental health problems that affect people with military experience. It could be life-long and affect every aspect of military personnel, including their mental and physical health, family and social interactions, and their work. There are few researches conducted in Ethiopia and paucity of data in Tigray. Objective: This study aimed to assess prevalence and associated factors of post-traumatic disorder among military personnel admitted to Meles campus military hospital, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia 2024. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was employed from August to September, 2024 at Meles campus military hospital. Across 4250 respondents 305 were selected by Systematic random sampling, and data was collected by face to face interview using the Tigrigna version of post-traumatic stress checklist-military version. Data was coded and feed into EPI data version 4.7.0 and analyzed by SPSS version 26 .Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to test association. Variables with P-value <0.25 was fitted into multivariate logistic regression and the variables with P-value < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval in multivariate logistic regression was considered as statistically significant. Result: A total of 305 respondents were participated with a response rate of 100%.The prevalence of Post-traumatic stress disorder was 27.5% [95% CI (22.5, 32.5)]. Non-officers [AOR=6.352; 95% CI (1.375, 29.335)], family history of mental illness [AOR=7.65; 95% CI (1.428, 40.983)], poor social support [AOR=3.848; 95% CI (1.220, 12.134)]. Depression[AOR= 10.348;95% CI (3.983,26.886)], handling dead body [AOR=8.229;95% CI(3.314,20.434)],high perceived threat [AOR=4.560 ;95% CI(1.052,19.767)],low Resilient coping [AOR=5.016 ; 95% CI (1.722,14.608)] were significantly associated with PTSD among military personnel. Conclusion and recommendation: The prevalence of PTSD was found to be higher, and nonofficers ,family history of mental illness ,depression ,poor social support, handling dead body ,high perceived threat and low resilience coping were significantly associated with PTSD. Therefore, the concerned bodies should focus on prevention, early detection and intervention of individuals with PTSD.