Burden of post-traumatic stress disorder in conflict-affected populations of east africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
1
Clinical Trial Directorate, Armauer Hansen Research Institute, AddisAbaba, Ethiopia
2
Communicable and non-communicable disease department, Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
3
Knowledge Management Directorate, Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addisababa, Ethiopia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Armed conflicts are major drivers of psychological trauma globally, with populations in conflict-affected regions experiencing a disproportionately high burden of mental disorders, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The East African region has endured decades of recurrent and ongoing armed conflicts, ethnic tensions, and active mass displacement. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of PTSD by doing sub-group analysis.
METHODS:
Published studies which were published between 2015-2025 were searched on PubMed, and Google Scholar data bases.. Observational studies that reported PTSD prevalence among populations residing in conflict-affected areas of East Africa were eligible. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers, and study quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for prevalence studies.
RESULTS:
14,437 study participants from seventeen studies were included. The pooled prevalence of PTSD among conflict-affected populations was 52%. Country-level analysis showed a prevalence of 56% in Ethiopia , 55% in Sudan , 45% in Somalia , 12% in Uganda. Females exhibited prevalence of 59% and males showed prevalence of 39%. Populations with less than one year of conflict exposure showed a PTSD prevalence of 54%, while more than one year exposure showed prevalence of 12%.
CONCLUSIONS:
PTSD affects more than half of individuals living in conflict-affected areas of East Africa, far exceeding global averages. The disproportionate impact on conflict exposed women highlights the urgent need for gender-sensitive, community-based mental health service and policy change. There should be increased community awareness about the mental health consequences of conflict, as well as strengthened efforts to deploy and support mental health professionals in these areas to ensure accessible and timely care for affected populations.
Armed conflicts are major drivers of psychological trauma globally, with populations in conflict-affected regions experiencing a disproportionately high burden of mental disorders, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The East African region has endured decades of recurrent and ongoing armed conflicts, ethnic tensions, and active mass displacement. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of PTSD by doing sub-group analysis.
METHODS:
Published studies which were published between 2015-2025 were searched on PubMed, and Google Scholar data bases.. Observational studies that reported PTSD prevalence among populations residing in conflict-affected areas of East Africa were eligible. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers, and study quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for prevalence studies.
RESULTS:
14,437 study participants from seventeen studies were included. The pooled prevalence of PTSD among conflict-affected populations was 52%. Country-level analysis showed a prevalence of 56% in Ethiopia , 55% in Sudan , 45% in Somalia , 12% in Uganda. Females exhibited prevalence of 59% and males showed prevalence of 39%. Populations with less than one year of conflict exposure showed a PTSD prevalence of 54%, while more than one year exposure showed prevalence of 12%.
CONCLUSIONS:
PTSD affects more than half of individuals living in conflict-affected areas of East Africa, far exceeding global averages. The disproportionate impact on conflict exposed women highlights the urgent need for gender-sensitive, community-based mental health service and policy change. There should be increased community awareness about the mental health consequences of conflict, as well as strengthened efforts to deploy and support mental health professionals in these areas to ensure accessible and timely care for affected populations.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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