Prevalence of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Road Traffic Accident Victims: A Cross-sectional Study from Gujarat, India

Introduction: Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) can develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to emotional trauma, which significantly affects the quality of life. Despite satisfactory psychological recovery for many RTA victims, a notable percentage of survivors continue to live with PTSD without diagnosis or treatment. In India, the rising number of RTAs necessitates research into their psychological impacts to inform healthcare strategies and interventions. Aim: To assess the prevalence of PTSD symptoms among RTA survivors and explore the association between PTSD and sociodemographic and clinical variables. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted and data was collected from selected trauma centres in Gujarat state, India, from April to May 2024. The study involved 380 participants who had experienced RTAs within 30-40 days prior to data collection. Data collection employed an interviewer-administered questionnaire with two sections: a demographic and clinical questionnaire and the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) for PTSD symptom assessment. The PCL-5 is a 20-item tool, with scores ranging from 0 to 80, where a score of >= 33 indicates PTSD symptoms. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0, employing descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Confidence Intervals (CI) to determine the significance of associations at a p-value<0.05 level. Results: The prevalence of PTSD symptoms among RTA survivors was 46.3%, with a mean +/- SD PTSD score of 29.41 +/- 10.68. The highest rates of PTSD were observed among younger individuals {18-25 years, 55 (52.4%)} and females 43 (47.3%). Education (p-value=0.027) and monthly income (p-value=0.011) were significantly associated with higher PTSD prevalence. Among clinical variables, the type of vehicle involved in the accident was associated with PTSD prevalence (p-value=0.012). Conclusion: The prevalence of PTSD symptoms among RTA survivors was 46.3%. Lower education levels, lower income, and involvement in two or three-wheeler accidents were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of PTSD.