War-related trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder prevalence among Syrian university students

Aims PTSD is one of the most prevalent mental disorders in war-affected regions. Syria has endured 10 years war and yet little known about impact conflict on well-being Syrians who remain. This study aimed to provide an estimated prevalence among trauma-exposed university students Deir-ez-Zor, Syria, a war-ridden region, that was under siege by Islamic State Iraq Levant (ISIS) for over 3 years. Moreover, we different types trauma which were exposed studied association between multiple covariates including, socio-demographic characteristics, smoking habits, academic performance, stress levels, identify factors influence development symptoms. Method A descriptive cross-sectional design used sample Al-Furat Deir-ez-Zor. We collected data socio-demographics, exposure, levels. Checklist DSM-5 carry out diagnosis determine severity disorder. Result total 833 Syrian recruited into study, mean 22.4 ± 3.2 Of those, (22.2%) have been displaced times, while (18.8%) 5 times. (86.4%) reported experiencing at least traumatic event, (33.8%) participants (44.7%) experienced four or more events. (28.2%), highest rates found forced sexual acts (46.3%), followed those witnessed childhood violence as adults (42.6%). Sample distribution levels follows: normal (39.5%), mild (16.0%), moderate (17.8%), severe (17.3%), extremely (9.8%). statistically significant (p = 0.000). internal displacement 0.032), year 0.002), social-economic status Binary logistic regression revealed smokers (vs non-smokers, OR 0.259, p .034) third-year fifth year, 0.44, .019) significantly associated with PTSD. Conclusion The results presented this research high exposure These findings call immediate actions help affected population restoring their health, so they can be prepared face challenges demands post-conflict period.