Trauma Exposure, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Trajectory, and Disability Level Among Hospitalized Injury Survivors in Kenya

Y.W. Hung, W. Tol, R. Musci, S. Aketch, A.M. Bachani

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

© 2019 International Society for Traumatic Stress StudiesPotentially traumatic events (PTEs) have been consistently associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the extent of association and attribution to subsequent disability has varied, with limited studies conducted in urban low-income contexts. This longitudinal study estimated the trajectory of PTSD symptoms up to 7 months after hospitalization and the associated disability level among adult patients who had been hospitalized due to injury. Adult injury patients (N = 476) admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, were interviewed in person in the hospital, and via phone at 1, 2–3, and 4–7 months after hospital discharge. Using latent growth curve modeling, two trajectories of PTSD symptoms emerged: (a) persistently elevated PTSD symptoms (9.2%), and (b) low PTSD symptoms (90.8%). Number of PTEs experienced remained moderately associated with the elevated trajectory after controlling for in-hospital depressive symptoms. Having previously witnessed killings or serious injuries, AOR = 2.32, 95% CI [1.07, 5.05]; being female, AOR = 4.74, 95% CI [4.53, 4.96]; elevated depressive symptoms during hospitalization, AOR = 2.96, 95% CI [1.28, 6.83]; and having no household savings/assets, AOR = 1.28, 95% CI [1.13, 1.44], were associated with the elevated PTSD symptoms trajectory class after controlling for other risk factors. Latent membership in the elevated PTSD trajectory was associated with a significantly higher level of disability several months after hospital discharge, p <.001, after controlling for injury and demographic characteristics. These results underline the associations among in-hospital depressive symptoms, witnessing atrocities, and poverty, and an elevated PTSD symptoms trajectory.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)108-118
JournalJournal of Traumatic Stress
Volume32
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2019
Externally publishedYes

Funding

Yuen W. Hung was supported by postdoctoral awards from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (P50 DA010075, P50 DA039838, and T32 DA017629). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Drug Abuse or the National Institutes of Health.

FundersFunder number
National Institute on Drug AbuseP50 DA010075, P50DA039838, T32 DA017629

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