Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in children: the case of the Mbagala bomb blasts in Tanzania.
In April 2009, military bombs stockpiled in Mbagala, Dar es Salaam, exploded uncontrollably, landing in the neighbourhood killing 26 people, injuring about 600 and destroying 9049 homes. This must have been a terrible experience, with psychological consequences. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among the children involved in the bomb blasts. It was hypothesized that children would not exhibit PTSD symptoms, as well as not showing sex differences in exhibiting PTSD symptoms. The study findings show 93% of children bomb survivors had PTSD symptoms, with no sex differences in the PTSD reported.
Open University of Tanzania, United Republic of Tanzania, Tanzania. innocent.messo@out.ac.tz
Innocent Nasson
IN
Messo
D000293:Adolescent; D054042:Bombs; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012737:Sex Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology