Highest ever levels of post-traumatic stress found in Uganda

Monday 2 June 2008

Uganda has the highest rate of post-traumatic stress and depression ever recorded, following extremely high levels of civilian exposure to violence and poor healthcare, a study published in BMC Psychiatry says today.

The study, conducted by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Gulu University has found that 54% of those interviewed met symptom-criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder, while 67% showed signs of depression.

Bayard Roberts, lead author of the study at LSHTM says, "Many of the people interviewed experienced ill health without medical care, experienced rape or sexual abuse, lack of food and water as well as higher rates of trauma exposure."

For a copy of the paper or to interview Bayard Roberts, please contact Gemma Howe in the LSHTM press office on 0207 927 2802 or gemma.howe@lshtm.ac.uk