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Probable PTSD was common among Sudanese refugees in Cairo

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A large group of African people gathered together in a covered tent or community space, with many individuals raising their hands, wearing colorful clothing in various patterns and colors including yellow, red, and orange accents.
Research area:PsychologyPosttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchMigration, Health and Trauma

What the study found

The study found a high prevalence of probable posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, among Sudanese refugees in Cairo. It also found that prior psychiatric history and caregiving responsibilities were associated with meeting the threshold for probable PTSD.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that these preliminary findings show a high psychological burden among Sudanese refugees in Egypt and highlight the acute nature of the crisis. They say there is an urgent need for culturally sensitive mental health screening and psychosocial interventions within refugee response frameworks.

What the researchers tested

The researchers carried out a pilot cross-sectional survey of 397 Sudanese refugees in Cairo, using convenience snowball sampling. They used the Arabic version of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, a questionnaire for assessing PTSD symptoms, and collected information on displacement history and sociodemographic factors.

What worked and what didn't

The prevalence of probable PTSD in the sample was 70.8%. Multivariate analysis showed significant associations with prior psychiatric history and caregiving responsibilities, while younger adults reported higher symptom scores but age was not a significant predictor in the adjusted model. There were no significant differences in prevalence between refugees who entered Egypt legally and those who entered through unauthorized routes.

What to keep in mind

This was a pilot study with a cross-sectional design, so it provides only a preliminary estimate from one sample in Cairo. The abstract does not describe additional limitations beyond the need for further longitudinal research to examine longer-term effects of displacement.

Key points

  • Probable PTSD was found in 70.8% of the surveyed Sudanese refugees in Cairo.
  • Prior psychiatric history and caregiving responsibilities were significantly linked to probable PTSD.
  • Younger adults had higher symptom scores, but age was not a significant predictor in the adjusted model.
  • No significant prevalence difference was found between legal and unauthorized entry routes into Egypt.
  • The authors call for culturally sensitive mental health screening and psychosocial interventions.

Disclosure

Research title:
Probable PTSD was common among Sudanese refugees in Cairo
Authors:
Aseel Hisham MohamedAbdelhalim Hakim Huss, Shaza Hassan, Ola Hatim Abdelbari Elniema, Galal Eldeen Elturabi Galal Khalifa, Mohamed Hisham MohamedAbdelhalim Hakim Huss, Muathal Hisham MohamedAbdelhalim Hakim Huss
Institutions:
University of Bahri, University of Khartoum, University of Khartoum
Publication date:
2026-03-08
DOI:
10.1186/s12963-026-00463-8
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by gpt-5.4-mini (OpenAI). The original authors did not write or review this post.