Prevalence of PTSD and Depression Among University Students in GOMA, DR Congo

Ushindi Josue Muderhwa, Ph.D., Candidate in Clinical Psychology; Naomi James, Ph.D., Daystar University; & Caroline Mrukunga, Ph.D., University of Nairobi, Kenya

Mental health challenges are a fast-growing disease burden globally. Studies indicate that    mental illnesses are more prevalent among students in institutions of higher learning compared to the general population. It is also noted that high prevalence rate of mental illnesses is found among students with a history of childhood trauma. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of PTSD and depression symptoms among Free University of Great Lake Countries and La Sapientia University students in Goma, DR Congo. The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design targeting 4,050 university students out of which 809 students aged between 18 and 25 years who volunteered for screening of PTSD and depression. A combination of purposive, stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the study participants. Data was collected using questionnaires, PTSD Scale for DSM-5(PCL-5) and LEC Self-Report instrument. Subsequently, data was analyzed using bivariate analysis. The findings revealed that students aged 18-20 years registered the highest prevalence of both PTSD (11.4%) and depressive illness (15.2%) compared to older students. The prevalence of PTSD (17.4%; p = 0.010) and depressive illness (21.8%) was also found to be higher among female students compared to male students. The prevalence of PTSD and depressive illness was high among first year students at 9.1% while depression was at 11.7% (p = 0.013). Further, both PTSD (25.4%) and depressive illness (34%) prevalence rates were higher among single students compared to the other marital categories. Finally, the prevalence of both PTSD (17.9%) and depressive illness (23.9%; p = 0.005) was higher among the students whose parents were married compared to other parental marital categories. Based on the results, it is recommended that universities and relevant stakeholders take the initiate to provide professional mental health services in the universities in DR Congo which include regular screening of students for PTSD and depression, and treatment.

Keywords: PTSD, Depression, Trauma, Prevalence, University Student, Mental Health