Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal
The aim of this study was to assess trauma events experienced and PTSD among 250 consecutive rural primary clinic patients (all Black Africans, 24% male and 76% female; M age 31.1 yr., SD = 11.8; range 18-65 years) in South Africa using the Trauma History Questionnaire and the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version, interview administered. Results indicated that the mean number of traumatic events reported was 3.5 (SD = 2.9, range = 0-19) and was significantly higher among men (M= 4.9, SD = 3.5) than women (M = 3.0, SD = 2.6). Among the most frequently endorsed traumas among men were seeing someone seriously injured or killed (60%), serious accident (43.3%), and seeing dead bodies (43.3%), and among women natural disaster (mostly floods) (51.6%), news of a serious injury, life-threatening illness or unexpected death of someone close (31.1%), and seeing someone seriously injured or killed (30%). A current diagnosis of PTSD was found in 12.4% of the sample. Trauma incidence figures were high (M = 3.5) and were comparable with an urban Xhosa primary care population in South Africa (M = 3.8). A current indicative diagnosis of PTSD of 12.4% also compares with other studies; 19.9% among urban Xhosa primary care patients and 11.8% among American primary care patients.
Resource Description
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Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Human Conflict/Displacement
- Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Human Conflict/Displacement: Flood
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Rural
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Non-United States
- Non-United States: Africa
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Injury, Mental Health and Well-Being
- Injury, Mental Health and Well-Being: Stress Disorder
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Research Article
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Adaptation, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population
- Adaptation, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Adaptation Co-Benefit/Co-Harm, Vulnerability Assessment
- Adaptation, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Low Socioeconomic Status