Browsing by Author "Mrukunga, Caroline"

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    Efficacy Of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy In Treating Ptsd And Depression Among Students In Selected Universities In Goma, Democratic Republic Of Congo.
    (African Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2022) Naomi, James; Muderhwa, Ushindi Josue; Mrukunga, Caroline
    Psychological well-being is one of the most important factors affecting the quality of life of university students. Depression and anxiety are the most common mental health issues reported among students although post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could also be high in situations where students have been exposed to traumatic events in their lives such as in wartorn Democratic Republic (DR) of Congo. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) in treating PTSD and depression among university students in Goma, DR Congo. The study adopted a quasiexperimental research design targeting 488 university students aged between 18 and 25 years who had symptoms of PTSD and depression. Consecutive sampling technique was used to select the participants. Data was collected using questionnaires, PTSD Scale for DSM5(PCL-5) and LEC Self-Report instrument over a twelve-week intervention period at baseline, midline and end line, and was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of SPSS Version 22. It was evident from the findings that TF-CBT was effective in the treatment of trauma related PTSD and depression among the university students in the DR Congo. TF-CBT was more efficacious than the alternative TAU applied in treating PTSD (p=0.000) and depression (p=0.000). It is therefore, recommended that mental health professionals can adopt this intervention in their practices because of the available evidence based studies that have proven this approach to be effective.
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    Prevalence of PTSD and Depression Among University Students in GOMA, DR Congo
    (African Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2022) Muderhwa, Ushindi Josue; James, Naomi; Mrukunga, Caroline
    Mental health challenges are a fast-growing disease burden globally. Studies indicate that mental illnesses are more prevalent among students in institutions of higher learning compared to the general population. It is also noted that high prevalence rate of mental illnesses is found among students with a history of childhood trauma. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of PTSD and depression symptoms among Free University of Great Lake Countries and La Sapientia University students in Goma, DR Congo. The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design targeting 4,050 university students out of which 809 students aged between 18 and 25 years who volunteered for screening of PTSD and depression. A combination of purposive, stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the study participants. Data was collected using questionnaires, PTSD Scale for DSM-5(PCL-5) and LEC Self-Report instrument. Subsequently, data was analyzed using bivariate analysis. The findings revealed that students aged 18-20 years registered the highest prevalence of both PTSD (11.4%) and depressive illness (15.2%) compared to older students. The prevalence of PTSD (17.4%; p = 0.010) and depressive illness (21.8%) was also found to be higher among female students compared to male students. The prevalence of PTSD and depressive illness was high among first year students at 9.1% while depression was at 11.7% (p = 0.013). Further, both PTSD (25.4%) and depressive illness (34%) prevalence rates were higher among single students compared to the other marital categories. Finally, the prevalence of both PTSD (17.9%) and depressive illness (23.9%; p = 0.005) was higher among the students whose parents were married compared to other parental marital categories. Based on the results, it is recommended that universities and relevant stakeholders take the initiate to provide professional mental health services in the universities in DR Congo which include regular screening of students for PTSD and depression, and treatment.
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    Prevalence of PTSD and Depression Among University Students in GOMA, DR Congo
    (African Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2022) Muderhwa, Ushindi Josue; Naomi, James; Mrukunga, Caroline
    Mental health challenges are a fast-growing disease burden globally. Studies indicate that mental illnesses are more prevalent among students in institutions of higher learning compared to the general population. It is also noted that high prevalence rate of mental illnesses is found among students with a history of childhood trauma. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of PTSD and depression symptoms among Free University of Great Lake Countries and La Sapientia University students in Goma, DR Congo. The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design targeting 4,050 university students out of which 809 students aged between 18 and 25 years who volunteered for screening of PTSD and depression. A combination of purposive, stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the study participants. Data was collected using questionnaires, PTSD Scale for DSM-5(PCL-5) and LEC Self-Report instrument. Subsequently, data was analyzed using bivariate analysis. The findings revealed that students aged 18-20 years registered the highest prevalence of both PTSD (11.4%) and depressive illness (15.2%) compared to older students. The prevalence of PTSD (17.4%; p = 0.010) and depressive illness (21.8%) was also found to be higher among female students compared to male students. The prevalence of PTSD and depressive illness was high among first year students at 9.1% while depression was at 11.7% (p = 0.013). Further, both PTSD (25.4%) and depressive illness (34%) prevalence rates were higher among single students compared to the other marital categories. Finally, the prevalence of both PTSD (17.9%) and depressive illness (23.9%; p = 0.005) was higher among the students whose parents were married compared to other parental marital categories. Based on the results, it is recommended that universities and relevant stakeholders take the initiate to provide professional mental health services in the universities in DR Congo which include regular screening of students for PTSD and depression, and treatment.