Reaction toTerror-related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) amongthe Students of Nursing College/ University of Baghdad

Abstract

Background: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a term applied to psychological and emotional disturbance that develops after experiencing, witnessing or being exposed to a traumatic event. The event may involve actual or threatened death, serious physical injury or threat to physical integrity such as a natural disaster, wartime combat, torture, murder, severe harm to oneself or others, rape, and violent attack or an assault.

Objectives: To determine the infliction levels of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among the students in the college of Nursing/ University of Baghdad, and to find out the relationship between these levels and some demographic characteristics.

Methodology: Observational design study of undergraduate nursing students has been achieved in December 4th, 2013 to the May 17th, 2014 in order to identify the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in all stages in the College of Nursing University of Baghdad. A non-probability of two hundred students in all four stages of the college of Nursing/ University of Baghdad was recruited. To meet the study objectives a questionnaire was constructed. This questionnaire consisted of two parts: firstly, four demographic characteristics: gender, age, stage, and residency; and 17 items represent Davidson Trauma scale-DSM-IV for diagnosing and measuring levels of PTSD within the civilians. Data were analyzed by applying: descriptive statistical analysis: frequencies and percentages and distribution; and inferential analysis: Correlation Coefficient, Chi-squire, and independent t-test.

Results: The study indicates that the majority of the students (63.0%) has PTSD: low (29.0%), medium (21.5%),
and high (12.5%); and only 37.0% of them have no PTSD. The results indicate that 35.0% of the participants who
have different levels of PTSD (63.0%) are female; and 21.5% of those who have PTSD are in age group (≥ 24);
for the stages: the first stage shows having more PTSD (18.0%) than the other stages; and finally, 42.0% of those
who live in Baghdad have levels of PTSD than those who do not live in Baghdad.

Conclusions: The results of present study indicated that more than half of participated students were at age 22
years and more old; half of them were male students; and the majority live in Baghdad. The study showed that a
high percentage of those students have had PTSD in different levels.

Recommendations: The present study recommends that students are to be advised to learn some coping strategies
and stress managements by attending training and relaxation sessions.