1. The Relationship between the
Number & Type of Traumatic
Experiences & PTSD in HIV
positive adults in HIV Care/Rx
Centres in Cape Town
Naidoo, P; Damon-Morris, T; &
Seedat, S

2. INTRODUCTION
Study located in larger study entitled:
Common Mental Health Disorders among
HIV-Infected Individuals in SA: Prevalence,
Predictors, & Validation of Brief Psychiatric
Rating Scales
High Prevalence of HIV infected individuals in
SA/sub-Saharan Africa is unquestionable
PLWHA suffer very high rates of mental
illness, especially PTSD

3. INTRODUCTION cont.
Diagnosis of PTSD arises out of the
experience(s) of traumatic events
HIV/AIDS affects families that have
experienced multi-generational histories
of victimization & trauma (historical t)
Currently: SA considered to be one of
the most violent countries (includes
sexual violence e.g. rape)

4. INTRODUCTION cont.
Stressful life events (including traumatic
events) impacts disease course
Presence of PTSD can hasten HIV
disease progression. Imp to include
mental health services in HIV care/Rx

5. INTRODUCTION cont.
Aims (this study): to examine the
relationships between (a) the types of
traumatic experiences & PTSD in
PLWHA (adults)
(b) the number of traumatic
experiences & PTSD in PLWHA

6. METHOD: Study Design,
Sampling & Procedure
Main study design: quantitative, cross
sectional
Convenience, non-probability sampling
Tools: battery of questionnaires
(demographic & screening tools for
depression, PTSD & substance abuse)
Structured clinical interview using MINI

7. METHOD: Study Design,
Sampling & Procedure
Ethical guidelines adhered to
This study: secondary data analysis
528 participants data utilized
2 groups identified: those that met
criteria for PTSD (PTSD +) & those that
did not (PTSD -)

8. RESULTS
Mean Age: 34 yrs (SD=8.0) Majority within
age range 24-40yrs
Females=74.4%
Unemployed=34%
Educational level: 83% between grades 8-12
Married/in relationship=66%
Heterosexual=96.5%

9. RESULTS
Participants’ Exposure to DSM-IV
qualifying traumatic events (%)
Natural Disaster=88.0
Fire/ Explosion =55.0
Transport Accident= 57.2
Accident:home/work/sports=63.4
Physical Assault = 44.4

10. RESULTS cont.
Assaulted with weapon=49
Sexual Assault=73.5
Other unwanted/uncomfortable sexual
experience=77.7
Exposure to trauma in war-zone
(combat/civilian)=86.8
Captivity =82.3

11. RESULTS cont.
Life-Threatening illness/injury=39.9
Exposure to sudden/violent death
(murder/suicide)=72.5
Sudden/unexpected death of someone
close=34.2
Serious injury/harm/death you caused to
someone=77.7 Other life threats=86.7

12. RESULTS cont.
Trauma & PTSD: Only sexual assault &
exposure to trauma in war zone were
significantly associated with PTSD
Exposure to sexual assault had 10 times
greater odds PTSD diagnosis (OR=10.0)
Exposure to trauma in war zone had 6.9
times greater odds of PTSD
diagnosis(OR=6.9)

13. RESULTS cont.
Sex Differences
Men had significantly higher rates of
exposure to physical assault & assault
with weapon
Women had significantly higher rates of
exposure to sexual assault

14. DISCUSSION
Demographic characteristics (mean
age/>f): in keeping with national
figures (despite convenience sampling)
f of traumatic events overall was
consistently high (increases burden of
disease in already under-resourced
communities)

15. DISCUSSION
Sexual assault & exposure in war zone
places PLWHA at risk for PTSD
diagnosis: once again highlights nature
of trauma & mental health aspects of
HIV/AIDS. Supports existing lit
Sex/gender differences: f (sexual
assault), m (physical assault & assault
with weapon)

16. CONCLUSION
Study highlights burden of disease in
PLWHA
Mental ill-health (historical/current
trauma exposure) fuels cycle of violence
Need to re-conceptualize HIV/AIDS
health care/intervention models
HIV/AIDS Research: B-P-S/P model

17. CONTACT DETAILS
Pamela Naidoo
pnaidoo@uwc.ac.za