Clinical and Socio-Demographic Characteristics of College Students Exposed to Traumatic Experiences: A Census of Seven College Institutions in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundEpidemiological studies show that most of the adult population will be exposed to at least one potentially traumatic event in the course of his/her life; adolescence and early adulthood are the most vulnerable periods of life for exposure to traumatic experiences (70% of their deaths are due to external causes). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is characterized by the development of dysfunctional symptoms that cause distress or social, academic, or occupational impairment, as result of exposure to a traumatic event. The aim of this multicentric study is to establish the proportion of college students, within seven institutions in Northeastern Brazil, who were exposed to traumatic experience and met PTSD criteria.Methods/DesignA one-phase census protocol of seven college institutions in three metropolitan regions in Northeastern Brazil was performed (April to July 2011). All students aged 18 years or older, matriculated and attending their first or final semester were eligible. The self-applied protocol consisted of a socio-demographic questionnaire and the following scales adjusted to Brazilian Portuguese standards Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ), PTSD Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C), Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11). Data were entered into SPSS 17.0.Results2213 (85.5%) students consented to participate, and completely filled in the protocols. Of these, 66.1% were woman, mean age 23.9 (SD 6.3), 82.7% were single, and 57.3% attended university outside their native cities. The total PTSD prevalence was 14%, and the median for frequency of trauma exposure was 5 events.ConclusionA high frequency of exposure to violence, as well as a high rate of PTSD, suicide attempts, and high-risk sexual behavior was found in Brazilian college students. This highlights the importance of effective public health actions in relation to the prevention and treatment of PTSD and other dysfunctional behaviors resulting from traumatic exposure in young individuals, usually an at risk population for violence and traumatic situations.

Multiple health risk behaviours and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among university students from 22 countries

“…This finding compares with previous studies among university students (Netto et al, 2013;Othieno et al, 2014;Peltzer, 1998;Elhai et al, 2012). Further, the study found, as evidenced in some previous studies (Flores et al, 2010;Karatzias & Chouliara, 2009;Netto et al, 2013;Rutter et al, 2013), that rates o f health risk behaviours were significantly higher among university students who screened positive for PTSD and students with PTSD symptoms were more likely to show multiple health risk behaviours. The study results underscore both the need for preventive services targeting health behaviour-risk reduction in students with PTSD symptoms and the possible benefits o f PTSD treatment for reducing health risk behaviours.…”

“…In several studies among university students high prevalence rates for current PTSD were found, 14% in Brazil (Netto et al, 2013), 15.7% in Kenya (Othieno, Okoth, Peltzer, Pengpid, & Malla, 2014), 12% in South Africa (Peltzer, 1998), and among US College students, 4.8%-9.2% depending on the diagnostic criteria (Elhai, Miller, Ford, Biehn, Palmieri, & Frueh, 2012). Adolescents and young adults have been found to be particularly vulnerable to traumatic events and PTSD (Netto et al, 2013). Further, it has been estimated that by 2020, psychological trauma will be among the leading causes of disability together with depression and heart disease (Michaud, Murray, & Bloom, 2001).…”

“…In the case of PTSD, associations with negative health behaviours such as smoking, alcohol use, drug use, condom non-use, and lack of physical activity have been reported (Karatzias & Chouliara, 2009;Netto et al, 2013;Rutter, Weatherill, Krill, & Orazem, 2013). For example, Mexican American adolescents "who experienced height ened posttraumatic stress symptoms reported more alcohol use, more other drug use, involvement in more fights, and more sexual partners."…”

Hepatitis C Virus Infection as a Traumatic Experience

“…''The full symptom picture must be present for over 1 month (Criterion E), and the disturbance must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning'' (DSM-IV). Populational studies show the disorder's prevalence to be around 6.8% in a study carried out in the United States [14] and 14% in another one carried out in Brazil [15]. PTSD is highly comorbid with many different medical and psychiatric illnesses and can be underestimated in non-clinical populations [15][16][17].…”

“…Populational studies show the disorder's prevalence to be around 6.8% in a study carried out in the United States [14] and 14% in another one carried out in Brazil [15]. PTSD is highly comorbid with many different medical and psychiatric illnesses and can be underestimated in non-clinical populations [15][16][17]. It is also associated with significantly low rates of HRQoL [18,19].…”