Post-traumatic stress disorder in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional Tunisian study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Evaluate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on Tunisian adolescents enrolled in secondary schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify associated factors. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytic study on a sample of Tunisian adolescents. Participants were randomly selected from two schools in the region of Hamma (southern of Tunisia). This survey took place during the period extending from 5 March to 26 May 2021. Students were asked to complete a pre-established information sheet which contains questions about socio-demographic features, medical history, knowledge about the pandemic of COVID-19, and personal or family history of being infected with this virus. The Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS) was used to screen for PTSD among students. Results The sample was composed of 326 students (92 boys and 234 girls; mean age 16.65 years). The prevalence of PTSD was 37.4% according to the CPSS. Adolescents had more PTSD symptoms when they lived in a conflictual family atmosphere (AOR = 3.1 [1.4–6.9]). Moreover, adolescents who were infected by the virus, or whose relatives were contaminated or dead because of the COVID-19 infection, were more likely to develop PTSD symptoms. We stated that students who estimated that their knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic were insufficient had a significant  higher risk for PTSD (AOR = 2.5 [1.4–4.6]). Conclusion Students seemed to have high frequency of PTSD symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The identification of risk and protective factors are interesting to guide screening and prevention actions. Key points • Adolescents were vulnerable to psychological distress during COVID-19 pandemic, they were more exposed to develop post-traumatic stress disorder. • A total of 37.4% was the prevalence of PTSD among Tunisian adolescents. Sufficient information about the pandemic was protective. Conflictual family atmosphere constitutes a risk factor. • Family and social efforts should be directed toward supporting teenagers to cope with the pandemics’ mental health burden.