Patterns of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Cognitive Factors Among Flood Victims in Hanang District, Tanzania
- 1University of Dodoma School of Medicine and Nursing: The University of Dodoma College of Health Sciences
Abstract
BackgroundFloods are among the most devastating natural disasters worldwide and are increasingly associated with adverse mental health outcomes, particularly Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In December 2023, Hanang District in northern Tanzania experienced catastrophic mud floods that resulted in extensive loss of life, destruction of property, displacement of households, and disruption of livelihoods. While emergency humanitarian responses focused primarily on physical needs, limited evidence exists regarding the long-term psychological consequences among survivors. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the patterns of PTSD manifestations and assess cognitive factors associated with PTSD symptoms among flood victims in Hanang District, Tanzania.
MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 flood victims one year after the disaster. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Descriptive statistics summarized PTSD severity, while chi-square tests and regression analyses examined associations between socio-demographic characteristics and PTSD manifestations. Cognitive factors were assessed based on participants exposure to traumatic experiences and perceptions of traumatic events.
ResultsThe mean PCL-5 score was 39.2 (SD = 20.6), indicating a high burden of psychological distress. Approximately 45% of respondents had severe PTSD symptoms (PCL-5 [≥]45), while another substantial proportion demonstrated moderate symptom severity. PTSD manifestations varied significantly by geographical location (p < 0.001), household income (p = 0.011), and marital status (p = 0.002). Age positively predicted PTSD severity ({beta} = 0.019, p = 0.001), whereas household income negatively predicted symptom severity ({beta} = -0.297, p = 0.001). Exposure to natural disasters constituted the predominant cognitive factor, with 45% directly experiencing the flood and 38.3% witnessing the event. Exposure to secondary traumatic experiences through witnessing or learning about violent events was also common. Cognitive trauma exposure demonstrated a significant association with PTSD symptoms ({chi}{superscript 2}, p < 0.001).
ConclusionPTSD remains highly prevalent among flood survivors in Hanang district. Both direct and indirect trauma exposure significantly contributed to PTSD manifestations. Comprehensive disaster recovery programmes should integrate trauma-focused psychological services, cognitive behavioural interventions, routine PTSD screening, and community-based psychosocial support alongside socioeconomic recovery initiatives.
Related
- Cervical Sympathetic Blockade for Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures Associated With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report and Neurobiological Framework
- The Prevalence and Factors Associated with Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (ptsd) Among Adolescents Aged 15–18 in Western Cape, South Africa
- A single center cross-sectional study examining the prevalence of inpatient postpartum anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5
- Preoperative Intranasal Oxytocin and Probable Acute Stress Disorder After Traumatic Fracture Surgery
- Rare copy number variation in Post-traumatic stress disorder using whole genome sequencing and biobank data
BibTeX
@misc{mwana2026patterns,
title = {{Patterns of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Cognitive Factors Among Flood Victims in Hanang District, Tanzania}},
author = {E. M. Mwana and L. Katalambula and B. Emidi and A. Nyundo},
howpublished = {medRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.64898/2026.09.01.26361894},
url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.01.26361894v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Patterns of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Cognitive Factors Among Flood Victims in Hanang District, Tanzania
AU - E. M. Mwana
AU - L. Katalambula
AU - B. Emidi
AU - A. Nyundo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
PB - medRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.09.01.26361894
UR - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.01.26361894v1
AB - BackgroundFloods are among the most devastating natural disasters worldwide and are increasingly associated with adverse mental health outcomes, particularly Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In December 2023, Hanang District in northern Tanzania experienced catastrophic mud floods that resulted in extensive loss of life, destruction of property, displacement of households, and disruption of livelihoods. While emergency humanitarian responses focused primarily on physical needs, limited evidence exists regarding the long-term psychological consequences among survivors. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the patterns of PTSD manifestations and assess cognitive factors associated with PTSD symptoms among flood victims in Hanang District, Tanzania. MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 flood victims one year after the disaster. PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Descriptive statistics summarized PTSD severity, while chi-square tests and regression analyses examined associations between socio-demographic characteristics and PTSD manifestations. Cognitive factors were assessed based on participants exposure to traumatic experiences and perceptions of traumatic events. ResultsThe mean PCL-5 score was 39.2 (SD = 20.6), indicating a high burden of psychological distress. Approximately 45% of respondents had severe PTSD symptoms (PCL-5 [≥]45), while another substantial proportion demonstrated moderate symptom severity. PTSD manifestations varied significantly by geographical location (p < 0.001), household income (p = 0.011), and marital status (p = 0.002). Age positively predicted PTSD severity ({beta} = 0.019, p = 0.001), whereas household income negatively predicted symptom severity ({beta} = -0.297, p = 0.001). Exposure to natural disasters constituted the predominant cognitive factor, with 45% directly experiencing the flood and 38.3% witnessing the event. Exposure to secondary traumatic experiences through witnessing or learning about violent events was also common. Cognitive trauma exposure demonstrated a significant association with PTSD symptoms ({chi}{superscript 2}, p < 0.001). ConclusionPTSD remains highly prevalent among flood survivors in Hanang district. Both direct and indirect trauma exposure significantly contributed to PTSD manifestations. Comprehensive disaster recovery programmes should integrate trauma-focused psychological services, cognitive behavioural interventions, routine PTSD screening, and community-based psychosocial support alongside socioeconomic recovery initiatives.
ER -