Knowledge and Causes of Post Traumatic Stress Disorders among Internally Displaced Persons at Saminaka Area, Gusau Zamfara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the psychological disorders which can be experienced following exposure to a traumatic or stressful event. It is characterized by symptoms of intrusion, avoidance, changes in mood and cognition, and hyper-arousal, all of which can last for more than a month after the traumatic event. The study aimed at assessing knowledge and causes of post-traumatic stress disorders among internally displaced persons at Saminaka area Gusau, Zamfara State. The study used descriptive cross-sectional design; the population comprises 95 internally displaced persons. Convenience non-probability sampling technique was adopted for this study to get the respondents required. The instrument used for the study is questionnaire. The data obtained were entered into (SPSS) Statistical Package for Social Sciences, (version 27) for analysis. Descriptive statistics tools of frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation were used for the analysis. The results shows that majority of the respondents have good knowledge on post-traumatic stress disorders, the respondents agreed with the statements as causes of post-traumatic stress disorders with a grand mean of 3.4. It was concluded that internally displaced persons have good knowledge on post traumatic stress disorders, causes, consequences and as well agreed with the coping strategies of post traumatic stress disorders. It was recommended that, Government should Increase Access to Mental Health Services, the Community should Foster Supportive Social Networks by Creating community support groups and networks to provide emotional support, solidarity, and a safe space for IDPs to share their experiences and coping strategies.