Factors associated with post-traumatic stress disorder among SIMAD University students in Mogadishu, Somalia: a cross-sectional study.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that may develop following exposure to severe or life-threatening traumatic events. Despite ongoing insecurity in Somalia, data on PTSD among university students are limited. This study assessed the occurrence of probable PTSD and its associated factors among students at SIMAD University in Mogadishu.
An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 343 students selected through stratified random sampling. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), applying a cut-off score of 33 to identify probable PTSD. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with probable PTSD, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
A total of 343 students participated (mean age 20.2 years; 48.1% female). Overall 34.4% of participants met the criteria for probable PTSD. Female students had significantly higher odds of probable PTSD (aOR = 5.36; 95% CI: 2.77-10.13; p < 0.001). Experiencing the death of a friend from a gunshot (aOR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.13-4.38; p = 0.021) and being involved in a transportation accident (aOR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.05-5.03; p = 0.037) were also independently associated with probable PTSD. No significant association was observed with social support.
Probable PTSD affected over one-third of surveyed students, underscoring the psychological burden of ongoing insecurity in Mogadishu. Female gender, interpersonal loss from gun violence, and transportation-related trauma emerged as key associated factors. These findings highlight the urgent need for trauma-informed, gender-sensitive mental health interventions in Somali university settings.
An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 343 students selected through stratified random sampling. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), applying a cut-off score of 33 to identify probable PTSD. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with probable PTSD, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
A total of 343 students participated (mean age 20.2 years; 48.1% female). Overall 34.4% of participants met the criteria for probable PTSD. Female students had significantly higher odds of probable PTSD (aOR = 5.36; 95% CI: 2.77-10.13; p < 0.001). Experiencing the death of a friend from a gunshot (aOR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.13-4.38; p = 0.021) and being involved in a transportation accident (aOR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.05-5.03; p = 0.037) were also independently associated with probable PTSD. No significant association was observed with social support.
Probable PTSD affected over one-third of surveyed students, underscoring the psychological burden of ongoing insecurity in Mogadishu. Female gender, interpersonal loss from gun violence, and transportation-related trauma emerged as key associated factors. These findings highlight the urgent need for trauma-informed, gender-sensitive mental health interventions in Somali university settings.