PTSD among adolescents from three different geographical settings in Bosnia-Herzegovina after 1992-95 war

Abstract

Aims:

To estimate the frequency, type, and severity of psychological trauma among displaced adolescents from three different municipalities with different exposure to war conditions after the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH).

Methods:

The sample of 212 adolescents from northeast region of BH (102 girls) aged of 15.1±2.1 years, divided in three groups. Srebrenica group (n=69), Zvornik group (n=74) and Bijeljina group (n=69), were assessed for war traumatic events and presence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) version for Bosnia and Herzegovina was used.

Results:

Among tested adolescents 82.1% left homes, 77.8% of them were separated from family, 76.4% were forcedly expelled from homes, 50% lived in collective settlements. In the sample 11.6% of adolescents lost father: Srebrenica (43.5%), Zvornik (29.7%) and in Bijeljina group (5.8%)(Chi-Pearson=25.844, df=2, P<0.001). The PTSD prevalence was 61.3% in the sample; Srebrenica (73.9%), Zvornik (62.1%), and Bijeljina group (47.8%) (Chi-square=9.933; df=1; P=0.007). Among adolescents who lost father in the sample 82.1% presented PTSD: Srebrenica (80.0%), Zvornik (90.9%) and Bijeljina (50.0%)(Chi -square=16.769, df=2, P<0.001). In Srebrenica and Zvornik groups gender had no influence on PTSD prevalence but in Bijeljina group girls presented significantly more PTSD (59.6%) than boys (34.4%)(Chi-square=4.327, df=1, P=0.038).

Conclusions:

The prevalence of PTSD was very frequent among Bosnian displaced adolescents 3.5 years after the war ended. Adolescents from Srebrenica had the highest rate of father loss and PTSD prevalence. Father loss influenced significantly on the prevalence of PTSD, while girls presented significantly more PTSD only in Bijeljina group.