title: Prevalence and correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder among medical students in the University of Jos, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common consequence of traumatic experiences. The North Central Nigeria to which Plateau State belongs has witnessed many ethno-religious crises. While previous studies suggested a high prevalence of PTSD among students, to the best of our knowledge, no such study has been reported in Nigeria.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of PTSD among medical students in a university.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional systematic random sampling was used to select 200 medical students. A two staged interview with questionnaire on sociodemographic variables, PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version, Impact of Event Scale, and Composite International Diagnostic Interview was carried out.
  
  
  METHODS
  SPSS Inc. Released 2007. SPSS for Windows, version 16.0. Chicago, SPSS Inc. was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of PTSD among the students was 23.5%. Previous childhood trauma and personal experiences during the crisis were significantly associated with having PTSD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High prevalence rate of PTSD among medical students in Jos is an indicator of psychological consequences of the recurring crises on the inhabitants. There is a need for follow-up and counseling/trauma healing for those identified.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Nwoga
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Audu
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Obembe
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires