title: Prevalence of Traumatic Events and Symptoms of PTSD Among South Africans Receiving an HIV Test.
abstract: We studied posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among a community sample of 500 persons seeking an HIV test. The majority of participants (62.2%) indicated that they had experienced at least one index event that qualified for PTSD, even though a small proportion (5%) actually met the diagnostic criteria for the disorder. Of those who reported an index event, 25 (8.04%) met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD while 286 (91.96%) did not. On average about one-third of participants who did not meet the criteria for PTSD endorsed PTSD symptoms whereas more than three quarters of those who met the full criteria did so. No demographic factors were associated with PTSD caseness, except number of traumatic events. These results are discussed in the context of the need to address traumatic events and PTSD among persons who undergo HIV testing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa. skagee@sun.ac.za.
authors.forename: Ashraf
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1241-2566
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kagee
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bantjes
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa.
authors.forename: Wylene
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Saal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012698:Serologic Tests; D013019:South Africa; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Community; HIV testing; Posttraumatic stress disorder