HADStress screen for posttraumatic stress: replication in ethiopian refugees

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Global Health
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are prevalent in refugee populations.
• Previous research indicated a 4-symptom somatic screen correlated with PTSS in one refugee group.
• The need for accessible screening tools for PTSS in diverse refugee communities is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the 4-symptom somatic screen, the HADStress Screen, in identifying current PTSS among Ethiopian refugees.
• To determine if the HADStress Screen can function as a reliable screening instrument in a new refugee cohort.
• To assess the correlation between past trauma experiences and current somatic symptoms indicative of PTSS.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 512 community-dwelling Ethiopian refugees participated in the study.
• Data collected included demographics, history of torture and trauma, and current PTSS.
• The HADStress Screen was developed by summing four somatic symptoms: headaches, appetite change, dizziness/faintness, and sleep problems.

Main Results:

• Univariate analyses revealed that age, gender, past torture, other trauma, and current PTSS predicted somatic symptoms.
• A negative binomial regression model identified current PTSS, male gender, and number of torture types as predictors of a high HADStress score.
• Post hoc analyses confirmed optimal cut-off levels at 3 and 4 symptoms for the HADStress Screen.

Conclusions:

• The HADStress Screen demonstrates efficiency and a nonthreatening approach for screening PTSS in refugee populations.
• The findings support the HADStress Screen's utility across different refugee groups.
• This somatic screening tool can aid in early identification and intervention for trauma-related distress among refugees.