NCJ Number
237082
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 23 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2008 Pages: 1108-1119
Date Published
August 2008
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined exposure to traumatic events, and psychological symptoms after rioting occurred in Jos, Nigeria.
Abstract
In September 2001, ethnoreligious rioting occurred in Jos, Nigeria. Using a multistage cluster sampling technique, 290 respondents were recruited in Jos 7 to 9 months after the riot. Data were collected regarding demographics, exposure to traumatic events, and psychological symptoms. Resting pulse and blood pressure were recorded. A total of 145 (52.5 percent) witnessed or were victims of personal attacks, 165 (59.6 percent) lost their possessions, 56 (20.7 percent) had their homes burned, 44 (16.2 percent) witnessed relatives' deaths, and 8 (2.9 percent) were robbed. A total of 252 (89.7 percent) of the respondents met re-experiencing criteria, 138 (49.1 percent) met avoidance criteria, and 236 (84.0 percent) met arousal criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A total of 116 (41 percent, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 36 percent to 47 percent) met all 3 categories for PTSD. Only personal attacks (adjusted odds ratio = 2.8, 95 percent CI = 1.7 to 4.7) and a heart rate of 90 beats/min or more (adjusted odds ratio = 2.8, 95 percent CI = 1.4 to 5.8) were significantly related to PTSD in a multivariate model. (Published Abstract)