1 Department of medicine, AlNeelain University, Khartoum, Sudan.
2 Department of medicine, AlNeelain University faculty of medicine, Khartoum, Sudan.
3 AlNeelain University faculty of medicine, Khartoum, Sudan.
4 Alzaiem Alazhari University, Department of medicine, Ahmed Qasim Street, Khartoum Bahry, Sudan.
5 The national ribat university, Department of medicine, Khartoum bahry, Sudan.
6 TA, National Ribat University, Khartoum, Sudan.
7 Neelain University faculty of medicine, Khartoum, Sudan.
8 Faculty of Medicine University of Khartoum, Portsudan – Sudan.
9 National Ribat University, Department of medicine, Khartoum, Sudan.
10 Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Karary University, Khartoum, Sudan.
Research Article
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025, 31(03), 150-154.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscbps.2025.31.3.0216
Received on 27 April 2025; revised on 08 June 2025; accepted on 10 June 2025
This cross-sectional survey assessed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children displaced by the recent Sudan conflict. A random sample of n = 200 children (ages 7–18) in a displacement center in Atbara, River Nile State, was interviewed during April 18–22, 2025. Standardized questions
covering intrusion, avoidance, negative cognition, and hyperarousal symptoms (15 items) were administered. We found very high symptom rates: for example, 31% of children reported frequent (”often”) intrusive memories, 30% reported repeated nightmares, 30% often tried to avoid reminders of the trauma, 26% had frequent sleep/anger problems, and 44.5% often had trouble concentrating. Based on these responses and DSM-5 criteria, we estimate that roughly 36–40% of participants met the threshold for PTSD.
This is consistent with studies in other conflict zones, which report pooled PTSD prevalence of ~36–47% among war-affected youth (1-2). Female children (56.5%) were slightly overrepresented in our sample (3); known risk factors like female sex and low parental education were common (56% of mothers had ≤primary education). (4) We conclude that PTSD is highly prevalent in this population of war-surviving Sudanese children, underscoring the urgent need for targeted mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian aid efforts.
Sudan war 2023; PTSD; PTSD among children; Displacement and war
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Ola Mohamed Awadelkarim Ahmed, Ryaan Babikir Fadul Osman, Amna Alrasheed Abuzaid Ali, Ala Rafie Shareef Mohamed Ahmed, Ebtihal Abdelrahman Hamid Abdelrahman, Tanzeel Mohamedain abuelgasim abdalla, Rayan Ali Hamid Ahmed, Suad Babiker Ahmed Babiker, Safiah Abdelgafar Ibrahim Elhassan and Tasneem Dafaalla. Prevalence of PTSD among Sudanese children who survived war, 2024–2025. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025, 31(3), 150-154. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2025.31.3.0216