Alone on the frontline: The first report of PTSD prevalence and risk in de-occupied Ukrainian villages

Abstract

Importance: The ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine marks a critical juncture in a series of events posing severe threat to the health of Ukrainian citizens. While recent reports reveal higher rates of PTSD in Ukrainian refugees following Russia’s invasion – data for Ukrainians remaining at the warfront is inherently difficult to access. A primarily elderly demographic, Ukrainians in previously Russian-occupied areas near the front (UPROANF) are at particular risk. Design: Data was sourced from screening questionnaires administered between March 2022 and July 2023 by mobile health clinics providing services to UPROANF. Setting: Previously occupied villages in Eastern and Southern Ukraine. Participants: UPROANF attending clinics completed voluntary self-report surveys reporting demographics, prior health diagnoses, and PTSD symptom severity ( n = 450; Meanage = 53.66; 72.0% female). Exposure: Participants were exposed to Russian occupation of Ukrainian villages. Main outcome and measures: The PTSD Checklist for the DSM-V (PCL-5) with recommended diagnostic threshold (i.e. 31) was utilized to assess PTSD prevalence and symptom severity. ANCOVA was used to examine hypothesized positive associations between (1) HTN and (2) loneliness and PTSD symptoms (cumulative and by symptom cluster). Results: Between 47.8% and 51.33% screened positive for PTSD. Though cumulative PTSD symptoms did not differ based on HTN diagnostic status, those with HTN reported significantly higher PTSD re-experiencing symptoms ( b = 1.25, SE = 0.60, p = .046). Loneliness was significantly associated with more severe cumulative PTSD symptoms ( b = 1.29, SE = 0.31, p < .001), re-experiencing ( b = 0.47, SE = 0.12, p < .001), avoidance ( b = .18, SE = 0.08, p = .038), and hypervigilance ( b = 0.29, SE = 0.13, p = .036). Conclusions and relevance: PTSD prevalence was higher than other war-exposed populations. Findings highlight the urgent mental health burden among UPROANF, emphasizing the need for integrated care models addressing both trauma and physical health. Given the significance of loneliness as a risk factor, findings suggest the potential for group-based, mind-body interventions to holistically address the physical, mental, and social needs of this highly traumatized, underserved population.