TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2024//
TI  - Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following exposure to acute psychological trauma in children aged 8-16 years in South Africa: protocol for the Sinethemba longitudinal study
JO  - BMJ open
A1  - Sharp, Tamsin H.
A1  - Chideya, Yeukai
A1  - Giuliani, Alessandra
A1  - Hunt, Xanthe
A1  - Tomlinson, Mark
A1  - Seedat, Soraya
A1  - Creswell, Cathy
A1  - Fearon, Pasco
A1  - Hamilton-Giachritsis, Catherine
A1  - Hiller, Rachel
A1  - Meiser-Stedman, Richard
A1  - du Toit, Stefani
A1  - Stewart, Jackie
A1  - Halligan, Sarah L.
SP  - e085129
EP  - e085129
VL  - 14
IS  - 7
N2  - INTRODUCTION: Children exposed to trauma are vulnerable to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other adverse mental health outcomes. In low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), children are at increased risk of exposure to severe trauma and co-occurring adversities. However, relative to high-income countries, there is limited evidence of the factors that predict good versus poor psychological recovery following trauma exposure in LMIC children, and the role of caregiver support in these high-adversity communities. <br><br>METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a longitudinal, observational study of 250 children aged 8-16 years and their caregivers in South Africa, following child exposure to acute trauma. Dyads will be recruited from community hospitals following a potentially traumatic event, such as a motor vehicle accident or assault. Potential participants will be identified during their hospital visit, and if they agree, will subsequently be contacted by study researchers. Assessments will take place within 4 weeks of the traumatic event, with 3-month and 6-month follow-up assessments. Participants will provide a narrative description of the traumatic event and complete questionnaires designed to give information about social and psychological risk factors. Child PTSD symptoms will be the primary outcome, and wider trauma-related mental health (depression, anxiety, behavioural problems) will be secondary outcomes. Regression-based methods will be used to examine the association of psychosocial factors in the acute phase following trauma, including caregiver support and responding, with child PTSD and wider mental health outcomes. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approvals have been granted by Stellenbosch University and the University of Bath, with additional approvals to recruit via hospitals and healthcare clinics being granted by the University of Cape Town, the Department of Health and the City of Cape Town. Study findings will be disseminated via publication in journals, workshops for practitioners and policy-makers, and public engagement events.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2044-6055
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-085129
ID  - ref1
ER  -