Prevalence of and factors influencing posttraumatic stress disorder among mothers of children under five in Kabul, Afghanistan, after decades of armed conflicts
2008

PTSD Among Mothers in Kabul After Armed Conflicts

Sample size: 1172 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Seino Kaoruko, Takano Takehito, Mashal Taufiq, Hemat Shafiqullah, Nakamura Keiko

Primary Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University

Hypothesis

What factors influence PTSD among mothers of young children in Kabul after armed conflicts?

Conclusion

Direct exposure to traumatic events significantly increases PTSD symptoms among mothers in Kabul, but food security can help reduce these symptoms.

Supporting Evidence

  • The prevalence rate of PTSD among the participants was 29.8%.
  • 74.8% of participants reported arousal symptoms.
  • 52.7% of those exposed to armed conflict experienced PTSD symptoms.
  • Food security was associated with lower PTSD symptoms.
  • Support seeking behavior did not significantly reduce PTSD symptoms for those with direct conflict experience.

Takeaway

Moms in Kabul who have seen or experienced war are more likely to feel very sad and scared, but having enough food can help them feel better.

Methodology

A structured interview survey was conducted with mothers of children under five in Kabul, assessing PTSD symptoms and exposure to traumatic events.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to self-reported data and cultural factors affecting responses.

Limitations

The study may not fully capture the experiences of all mothers in Afghanistan due to cultural sensitivities and the specific focus on Kabul.

Participant Demographics

Participants were mothers aged approximately 21.7 years, with a significant portion having no formal education.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Confidence Interval

95% CI for various associations reported in the study.

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1477-7525-6-29

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