Prevalence of probable posttraumatic stress disorder among Sudanese refugees in Egypt: a pilot study

The conflict that began in Sudan in April 2023 has displaced over 6.6 million individuals, with hundreds of thousands seeking refuge in Egypt. Displaced populations face significant post-migration stressors that elevate the risk of psychological distress.

This pilot study aimed to provide a preliminary estimate of the prevalence of probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Sudanese refugees in Cairo and identify associated sociodemographic risk factors.

A pilot cross-sectional survey was conducted with 397 Sudanese refugees recruited via convenience snowball sampling. We utilized the Arabic version of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) to estimate the frequency of probable PTSD and gathered data on displacement history.

The prevalence of probable PTSD in this sample was 70.8%. Multivariate analysis indicated that a prior psychiatric history and caregiving responsibilities were significantly associated with meeting the threshold for probable PTSD. Younger adults reported higher symptom scores, though age was not a significant predictor in the adjusted model. No significant differences in prevalence were observed between refugees who entered Egypt through legal versus unauthorized routes.

These preliminary findings reveal a high psychological burden among Sudanese refugees in Egypt, underscoring the acute nature of the crisis. There is an urgent need for the integration of culturally sensitive mental health screenings and psychosocial interventions within refugee response frameworks. Further longitudinal research is required to explore the long-term effects of displacement on this population.