The Prevalence and Impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Moroccan Adolescents Enrolled in Public High Schools in Salé: a Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder related to trauma and stress. A survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of PTSD among adolescents enrolled in public high schools in the prefecture of Salé in Morocco. Also assess the impact of this disorder by studying the prevalence of PTSD comorbidities (anxiety and depression). Materials and methods: Ten schools were randomly selected and 500 students were selected using a cross-sectional survey. Five measurement scales in the survey are: A socio-demographic questionnaire, List of stressful events during the adolescent life according to DSM-IV, the Children’s Post Traumatic Stress Reaction Index (CPTS-RI), the State Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y (STAIY) and the Children Depression Inventory (CDI). The survey was carried out from March to June 2017. Cox regression analyzes were performed to investigate independent variables predictors of PTSD. Results: The number of students who completed the study was 348 students aged between 14 and 17 years (16.13 ± 0.81). We found 25.8% of prevalence of PTSD. The factors predictors of PTSD were: gender (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.422, 95% C.I = 1.030 - 1.964, p = 0.033), repetitive dreams (HR = 1.286, 95% C.I = 1.154 - 1.434, p < 0.0001), sleep interrupted (HR = 1.237, 95% C.I = 1.105 - 1.386, p < 0.0001), difficulties of memory (HR = 1.134, 95% C.I = 0.996 - 1.291, p = 0.050) and difficulties of concentration (HR = 1.135, 95% C.I = 1.010 - 1.276, p = 0.034). While for PTSD comorbidities, 81.50% wwere found to have anxiety and 56.67% to have depression. Conclusions: The impact of PTSD is quite remarkable among school-aged adolescents. Therefore, efforts are needed to construct psychological support plans for students in need