Exposure to violence and post-traumatic stress disorder in a rural adult population in South Africa

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to identify exposure to violence and its consequences for health in an adult community in rural South African. The instruments used for the interviews included a 24-item Exposure-to-Violence checklist, a pose-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) interview schedule, and the Self-Reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20). The sample included 132 adults: 48 (35%)malesand 84(65%)females in cheage range of 19-74 (mean age 33, SD= 14,3). Fifty-seven (41 %) reported that they had nndergone a traumatic experience during their lifetime. Eleven (8%) adults were classified as having a PTSD. With increased exposure co violence, the PTSD score increased but the SRQ score (indicative of minor psychiatric morbidity) did not.