Exposure to post election violence and development of post traumatic stress disorder among children in eldoret sub-county, Kenya

This study sought to determine the presence and the prevalence of PTSD among children exposed to post election violence (PEV) in Eldoret Sub County, Kenya. The study applied ex-post facto correlational research design. The study drew its population from the 1,218 class eight children in 8 purposively selected public schools categorized as urban, peri-urban, rural and slum schools in Eldoret Sub-County. Stratified random sampling method was utilized to give a sample of 192 pupils. Further, 32 teachers were purposively selected to participate in the study, making a total sample of 224 respondents. The instruments for data collection used in this study were a child Impact of Event Scale Revised Version for the screening of PTSD in children, and a Child Behavior Checklist for teacher’s assessment of the children. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows Version 17. The findings of the study indicated that approximately 5 years after exposure to post election violence in Eldoret, children were still exhibiting PTSD symptoms. The study further found a 45.5 % prevalence of PTSD in the region. Consequently, the study recommends a screening of PTSD for children in the region with an aim of treatment. The study further recommends child-centered supportive therapy centers in schools as a trauma-focused psycho-therapeutic foundation as well as a multi-level trauma prevention approach for traumatized children in Kenya.