Combat readiness, alcohol abuse, and posttraumatic stress disorder among Uganda peoples' defence forces soldiers

This cross-sectional study assessed combat readiness, alcohol abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Uganda Peoples' Defense Forces (UPDF) soldiers returning from Operation Lightning Thunder (OLT) in South Sudan and Central African Republic.

One hundred fifty participants recruited from UPDF soldiers who had recently withdrawn from OLT, and were based in Singo Peace Support Operation School were screened for combat readiness, alcohol abuse and PTSD. The Perceived Combat Readiness Questionnaire, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, and PTSD checklist military version were used to measure the variables. Inferential analyses were performed to determine the association between combat readiness, alcohol abuse, and PTSD, while controlling for sociodemographic factors.

We found that 16% of UPDF soldiers met positive screening results for PTSD, and 21% met the positive screening results for moderate substance use disorder. UPDF soldiers who benefited from combat readiness were less likely to develop PTSD or alcohol abuse. Our results showed a mediating effect of alcohol abuse on combat readiness and PTSD among soldiers with UPDF.

Our results highlight the high rates of PTSD and alcohol abuse among UPDF soldiers returning from military deployment. These findings provide insight into the role of combat readiness in reducing the risk of alcohol abuse and vulnerability to PTSD in the aftermath of military deployment.