Combat readiness, alcohol abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder among Uganda peoples’ defence forces soldiers
Abstract Background This cross-sectional study assessed combat readiness, alcohol abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) soldiers returning from Operation Lightning Thunder (OLT) in South Sudan and Central African Republic. Methods One hundred fif...
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2024-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02068-y |
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| author | Elias A. Baguma Bives Mutume Nzanzu Vivalya Patric O. Ocen Rosco Kasujja |
| author_facet | Elias A. Baguma Bives Mutume Nzanzu Vivalya Patric O. Ocen Rosco Kasujja |
| author_sort | Elias A. Baguma |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background This cross-sectional study assessed combat readiness, alcohol abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) soldiers returning from Operation Lightning Thunder (OLT) in South Sudan and Central African Republic. Methods One hundred fifty participants recruited from UPDF soldiers who had recently withdrawn from OLT, and were based in Singo Peace Support Operation School were screened for combat readiness, alcohol abuse and PTSD. The Perceived Combat Readiness Questionnaire, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, and PTSD checklist military version were used to measure the variables. Inferential analyses were performed to determine the association between combat readiness, alcohol abuse, and PTSD, while controlling for sociodemographic factors. Results We found that 16% of UPDF soldiers met positive screening results for PTSD, and 21% met the positive screening results for moderate substance use disorder. UPDF soldiers who benefited from combat readiness were less likely to develop PTSD or alcohol abuse. Our results showed a mediating effect of alcohol abuse on combat readiness and PTSD among soldiers with UPDF. Conclusion Our results highlight the high rates of PTSD and alcohol abuse among UPDF soldiers returning from military deployment. These findings provide insight into the role of combat readiness in reducing the risk of alcohol abuse and vulnerability to PTSD in the aftermath of military deployment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c44ca8a1a1764876b23229fd05460906 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-c44ca8a1a1764876b23229fd054609062025-08-20T02:11:49ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832024-10-011211610.1186/s40359-024-02068-yCombat readiness, alcohol abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder among Uganda peoples’ defence forces soldiersElias A. Baguma0Bives Mutume Nzanzu Vivalya1Patric O. Ocen2Rosco Kasujja3Department of Community Psychology and mental health, Makerere UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Kampala International University Western CampusPeoples’ Defence Forces, Chieftaincy of Medical Services- Directorate of Mental HealthDepartment of Community Psychology and mental health, Makerere UniversityAbstract Background This cross-sectional study assessed combat readiness, alcohol abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF) soldiers returning from Operation Lightning Thunder (OLT) in South Sudan and Central African Republic. Methods One hundred fifty participants recruited from UPDF soldiers who had recently withdrawn from OLT, and were based in Singo Peace Support Operation School were screened for combat readiness, alcohol abuse and PTSD. The Perceived Combat Readiness Questionnaire, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, and PTSD checklist military version were used to measure the variables. Inferential analyses were performed to determine the association between combat readiness, alcohol abuse, and PTSD, while controlling for sociodemographic factors. Results We found that 16% of UPDF soldiers met positive screening results for PTSD, and 21% met the positive screening results for moderate substance use disorder. UPDF soldiers who benefited from combat readiness were less likely to develop PTSD or alcohol abuse. Our results showed a mediating effect of alcohol abuse on combat readiness and PTSD among soldiers with UPDF. Conclusion Our results highlight the high rates of PTSD and alcohol abuse among UPDF soldiers returning from military deployment. These findings provide insight into the role of combat readiness in reducing the risk of alcohol abuse and vulnerability to PTSD in the aftermath of military deployment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02068-yCombat ReadinessAlcohol abusePosttraumatic stress disorderSoldiers |
| spellingShingle | Elias A. Baguma Bives Mutume Nzanzu Vivalya Patric O. Ocen Rosco Kasujja Combat readiness, alcohol abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder among Uganda peoples’ defence forces soldiers BMC Psychology Combat Readiness Alcohol abuse Posttraumatic stress disorder Soldiers |
| title | Combat readiness, alcohol abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder among Uganda peoples’ defence forces soldiers |
| title_full | Combat readiness, alcohol abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder among Uganda peoples’ defence forces soldiers |
| title_fullStr | Combat readiness, alcohol abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder among Uganda peoples’ defence forces soldiers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Combat readiness, alcohol abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder among Uganda peoples’ defence forces soldiers |
| title_short | Combat readiness, alcohol abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder among Uganda peoples’ defence forces soldiers |
| title_sort | combat readiness alcohol abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder among uganda peoples defence forces soldiers |
| topic | Combat Readiness Alcohol abuse Posttraumatic stress disorder Soldiers |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-02068-y |
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