Prevalence of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder among Child Survivors of Incest ages 9-15 years at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital in Nairobi City County, Kenya

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue VII, July 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705

Prevalence of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder among Child Survivors of Incest ages 9-15 years at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Sheila Wachira¹, Ruth Walioli (Phd)², Victor Herbert Okongo (MEPM)^3
1(Phd Candidate), Clinical Psychology, Daystar University, Kenya
²Daystar University, Nairobi, Kenya
³University of Eastern Africa, Baraton

Abstract: – Incest is a global vise that affects children regardless of their age, class, residence or religion. It has debilitating psychological, social and physical effects on children who experience it. Such negative effects easily lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a psychological disorder that develops after exposure to traumatic events such as incest. This study examined the prevalence of (PTSD) among child survivors of incest aged between 9-15 years seen at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital (MLKH) in Nairobi City County. The study adopted a descriptive research design and the target population included caregivers/parents and children. The objectives of the study were as follows; to determine the prevalence of PTSD among survivors of incest, establish the social demographic characteristics of survivors, to determine the effects of PTSD on survivors and to explore parental perceptions towards child survivors of incest aged between 9-15 years at MLKH. The study adopted the descriptive design. The population included caregivers/parents, survivors, key informants and focus group discussions at MLKH. The target population was drawn from MLKH. The study used purposive sampling to select the site and utilized random sampling to select survivors, parents and key informants. The sample size of the population was 20 survivors, 20 parents and 2 key informants. Data was collected through questionnaires, focus group discussions and observation. The study established that PTSD was prevalent among children survivors of incest and the effects were varied. However, the caregivers were unaware of the existence of PTSD and therefore could not pursue a treatment plan. There was lack of follow up on survivors treated at MLKH for possible manifestations of PTSD. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher recommended that psychosocial education was necessary to build the capacity of caregivers and survivors to cope with the PTSD trauma

Key terms: Prevalence, Post-trauma stress disorder (PTSD), Child survivors, incest, Trauma, Prevalence, Child abuse, and psychological disorder

I. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Incest is defined as having sexual relations with close family members for example a father and a daughter (Oxford Dictionary 2015). Courtois (1998) distinguishes consanguineous incest, or sexual contact that happens amongst blood relatives; from sexual contact between a child and individuals who are involved with the child either legally or contractually (marriage to a child’s parent, adoption of a child, or serving as a foster parent).

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