Assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder and well-being among Sudanese during the ongoing war: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Wars profoundly impact mental health with growing long lasting consequences. This study assessed the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and well-being among Sudanese affected by the ongoing conflict, with a specific focus on healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods A c...

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Main Authors: Mohamed Fakhry Hussein, Marina Saleeb, Basma Tolba, Yasmine Yousry Mohamed, Assem Gebreal, Abuelgasim Osman Alemam Mohamed, Faisal Saeed Al-Qahtani, Fatima Mohamed Osman Yasin, Omelhassan Abdelgader Alawed, Ramy Mohamed Ghazy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Psychology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02542-1
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author Mohamed Fakhry Hussein
Marina Saleeb
Basma Tolba
Yasmine Yousry Mohamed
Assem Gebreal
Abuelgasim Osman Alemam Mohamed
Faisal Saeed Al-Qahtani
Fatima Mohamed Osman Yasin
Omelhassan Abdelgader Alawed
Ramy Mohamed Ghazy
author_facet Mohamed Fakhry Hussein
Marina Saleeb
Basma Tolba
Yasmine Yousry Mohamed
Assem Gebreal
Abuelgasim Osman Alemam Mohamed
Faisal Saeed Al-Qahtani
Fatima Mohamed Osman Yasin
Omelhassan Abdelgader Alawed
Ramy Mohamed Ghazy
author_sort Mohamed Fakhry Hussein
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Wars profoundly impact mental health with growing long lasting consequences. This study assessed the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and well-being among Sudanese affected by the ongoing conflict, with a specific focus on healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between April 1 and June 30, 2024, using the validated Arabic versions of PTSD Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) (PCL-5) and the World Health Organization (WHO)-5 Well-Being Index. Results A total of 1022 participants were included, and 44% were recruitted through online questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. Their mean age was 31.4 ± 12.5 years, 63.4% were females, 16.3% were HCWs and 83.3% were displaced due to conflict. The mean score of PTSD was 35 ± 21.3 with 56.9% having PTSD. The mean well-being score was 55.0 ± 23.9 with 40% reporting poor well-being. Among HCWs, 60.5% suffered from PTSD and 27.5% experienced poor well-being. A significant negative correlation was observed between PTSD and well-being scores (r=-0.273, p < 0.001). Predictors of PTSD were being male [β = -10.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-13.44, -8.38); p < 0.001], urban area resident [β = -10.38, 95%CI (-18.78, -1.98); p = 0.016], non-medical profession [β = 5.07, 95%CI (1.46, 8.67); p = 0.006], living with 2 to 10 households [β = 6.69, 95%CI (0.46, 12.91); p = 0.035], living with more than 20 households [β = 13.20, 95%CI (4.17, 22.23); p = 0.004], insufficient income [β = 4.32, 95% CI (1.84,6.81); p = 0.001], living in conflict zones [β = 13.38 95%CI (8.83,17.92); p < 0.001], refugee resettlement [β = 13.18, 95%CI (9.98,16.38); p < 0.001], and well-being score [β = -0.20, 95%CI (-0.25, -0.15); p < 0.001]. Predictors of well-being scores were living with more than 20 households [β = -17.44, 95%CI (-28.83, -6.04); p = 0.003], being a HCW [β =-6.22, 95%CI (-11.87, -0.57); p = 0.031], being a student [β = -7.55, 95%CI (-12.94, -2.16), p = 0.006, insufficient income [β = -5.04, 95%CI (-8.17, -1.90); p = 0.002], and living in conflict zones [β = -8.22, 95%CI (-13.96, -2.48); p = 0.005]. Conclusions The study highlights an alarmingly high prevalence of PTSD among Sudanese including HCWs, with significant mental health consequences. These findings emphasize the urgent need for mental health interventions and humanitarian support to mitigate the psychological challenges faced by the conflict affected population.
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spelling doaj-art-d7e1bf05bb8643bd9140538af00547a82025-08-20T03:05:44ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-03-0113111310.1186/s40359-025-02542-1Assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder and well-being among Sudanese during the ongoing war: a cross-sectional studyMohamed Fakhry Hussein0Marina Saleeb1Basma Tolba2Yasmine Yousry Mohamed3Assem Gebreal4Abuelgasim Osman Alemam Mohamed5Faisal Saeed Al-Qahtani6Fatima Mohamed Osman Yasin7Omelhassan Abdelgader Alawed8Ramy Mohamed Ghazy9Department of Occupational Health and Industrial Medicine, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria UniversityBiostatistician, Mars-GlobalHarvard Medical School Associated AlmuniMaternal and Child Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Alexandria UniversityAl Neelain University - Faculty of MedicineDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid UniversityHistopathology and Cytopathology Department, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of GadarifFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Omdurman Islamic UniversityFamily and Community Medicine Department, College of Medicine, King Khalid UniversityAbstract Background Wars profoundly impact mental health with growing long lasting consequences. This study assessed the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and well-being among Sudanese affected by the ongoing conflict, with a specific focus on healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between April 1 and June 30, 2024, using the validated Arabic versions of PTSD Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) (PCL-5) and the World Health Organization (WHO)-5 Well-Being Index. Results A total of 1022 participants were included, and 44% were recruitted through online questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. Their mean age was 31.4 ± 12.5 years, 63.4% were females, 16.3% were HCWs and 83.3% were displaced due to conflict. The mean score of PTSD was 35 ± 21.3 with 56.9% having PTSD. The mean well-being score was 55.0 ± 23.9 with 40% reporting poor well-being. Among HCWs, 60.5% suffered from PTSD and 27.5% experienced poor well-being. A significant negative correlation was observed between PTSD and well-being scores (r=-0.273, p < 0.001). Predictors of PTSD were being male [β = -10.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-13.44, -8.38); p < 0.001], urban area resident [β = -10.38, 95%CI (-18.78, -1.98); p = 0.016], non-medical profession [β = 5.07, 95%CI (1.46, 8.67); p = 0.006], living with 2 to 10 households [β = 6.69, 95%CI (0.46, 12.91); p = 0.035], living with more than 20 households [β = 13.20, 95%CI (4.17, 22.23); p = 0.004], insufficient income [β = 4.32, 95% CI (1.84,6.81); p = 0.001], living in conflict zones [β = 13.38 95%CI (8.83,17.92); p < 0.001], refugee resettlement [β = 13.18, 95%CI (9.98,16.38); p < 0.001], and well-being score [β = -0.20, 95%CI (-0.25, -0.15); p < 0.001]. Predictors of well-being scores were living with more than 20 households [β = -17.44, 95%CI (-28.83, -6.04); p = 0.003], being a HCW [β =-6.22, 95%CI (-11.87, -0.57); p = 0.031], being a student [β = -7.55, 95%CI (-12.94, -2.16), p = 0.006, insufficient income [β = -5.04, 95%CI (-8.17, -1.90); p = 0.002], and living in conflict zones [β = -8.22, 95%CI (-13.96, -2.48); p = 0.005]. Conclusions The study highlights an alarmingly high prevalence of PTSD among Sudanese including HCWs, with significant mental health consequences. These findings emphasize the urgent need for mental health interventions and humanitarian support to mitigate the psychological challenges faced by the conflict affected population.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02542-1Armed conflictPost-traumatic stress disorderWell-beingSudanese warThe PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)WHO-5 well-being index
spellingShingle Mohamed Fakhry Hussein
Marina Saleeb
Basma Tolba
Yasmine Yousry Mohamed
Assem Gebreal
Abuelgasim Osman Alemam Mohamed
Faisal Saeed Al-Qahtani
Fatima Mohamed Osman Yasin
Omelhassan Abdelgader Alawed
Ramy Mohamed Ghazy
Assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder and well-being among Sudanese during the ongoing war: a cross-sectional study
BMC Psychology
Armed conflict
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Well-being
Sudanese war
The PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
WHO-5 well-being index
title Assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder and well-being among Sudanese during the ongoing war: a cross-sectional study
title_full Assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder and well-being among Sudanese during the ongoing war: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder and well-being among Sudanese during the ongoing war: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder and well-being among Sudanese during the ongoing war: a cross-sectional study
title_short Assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder and well-being among Sudanese during the ongoing war: a cross-sectional study
title_sort assessment of post traumatic stress disorder and well being among sudanese during the ongoing war a cross sectional study
topic Armed conflict
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Well-being
Sudanese war
The PTSD checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
WHO-5 well-being index
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02542-1
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