Post-traumatic stress disorder among nursing students at Palestine Polytechnique University during the Gaza war and the attack on the health care system

Abstract

Abstract Background Gaza war and the attack on the healthcare system and healthcare personnel influenced the Palestinian people’s psychological status, especially healthcare professionals and university students. Aim The study aims to explore the impact of Gaza war on nursing students of Palestine Polytechnique University (PPU). Method In a cross-sectional design, 272 nursing students completed the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Chi-square test used to examine the association of PTSD severity with demographic variables; independent samples t-tests and ANOVA were used to compare means of PTSD subscales (intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal); relationships between subscale scores and the total IES-R score were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Results 71.3% of the Nursing students had high levels of PTSD symptoms, 14.7% were classified as having probable PTSD diagnosis, 10.7% had clinical concerns, and 3.3% with no clinical concern; hyperarousal and intrusion were the highest subscale scores; females showed higher levels of PTSD symptoms compared to males (p < .05); feelings of guilt when practicing happy events; negative impact on study significantly associated with higher PTSD severity (p < .05). Conclusion The study highlighted the significant impact of Gaza war events on nursing students’ mental health as evidenced by a high level of PSTD symptoms, despite the aggressive attack on health care system during war on Gaza students found to have high willingness to challenge and pursue in their future nursing career. Implications Targeted supportive mental health programs, resiliency, and coping mechanisms are needed for nursing students in the Palestinian context.