Rates of Occurrence and Influence of Trauma Exposure on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Among Survivors of Terrorist Attacks in Northeast Nigeria

Research has shown that trauma exposure is associated with increased symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, knowledge is sparse on whether there are differential predictions of specific clusters of PTSD symptoms by trauma exposure. We investigated the rate of trauma exposure and prevalence of PTSD as well as the contributions of trauma exposure to severity of four PTSD symptoms clusters among persons who were displaced due to terrorist attacks. Participants were Nigerian internally displaced persons (IDPs, N = 1059, 54.8% males; mean age = 34.30 years, SD = 13.69) who completed Hausa language versions of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire – Part 1 for measuring trauma exposure and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 for assessing PTSD symptoms. The most frequently reported traumatic stressors were lack of basic needs, losses, maltreatment/torture, and violent deaths. Prevalence of PTSD was high (65.72%). Trauma exposure uniquely and strongly predicted increased PTSD symptoms severity across all the PTSD symptoms clusters by adding more variances above and beyond the demographic factors. Regular provision of relief materials is necessary in IDPs’ camps. Psychological interventions and mental healthcare services should be prioritized in comprehensive management of the displacement crisis resulting from terrorist attacks.