Half of Kenyan Adults Show Signs of PTSD, Landmark Study Finds

A landmark study has revealed that Kenyan adults face a high burden of trauma exposure, with more than half of participants showing probable signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The findings, released during a dissemination event for the Genetics of PTSD in African Ancestry Populations (GPAA) study hosted by the Aga Khan University’s Brain and Mind Institute (BMI), shed new light on one of Africa’s most pressing and often overlooked mental health challenges.

The study was led by Prof. Lukoye Atwoli, Deputy Director at BMI and Dean of Medical College at Aga Khan University, East Africa, alongside international principal investigators Prof. Benjamin Neale and Prof. Karestan Koenen of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. It aimed to expand knowledge of the genetic make-up of PTSD in African populations, strengthen research capacity in Kenya, reduce stigma, and contribute to the first large, well-powered genome-wide study of PTSD in individuals of African ancestry.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Atwoli emphasized the importance of ensuring African populations are included in global psychiatric research and the opportunities this study creates for locally relevant solutions:

“Africa has historically been left behind in psychiatric genetics research, and this study marks a turning point. By focusing on African populations, we are uncovering the true scale of PTSD and related disorders while generating knowledge that will lead to equitable, effective, and locally relevant interventions.”

Key Findings

• 55% of Kenyan adults were likely to have experienced PTSD at some point in their lives.
• 21% showed symptoms in the past month.
• Women were more affected than men, with 61% of women reporting lifetime PTSD compared to 39% of men.

Geographic disparities also emerged: Westlands Subcounty reported the highest prevalence of PTSD symptoms in the past month (48%), while Kibra reported the lowest (17%). These findings highlight that trauma is unevenly distributed, shaped by socioeconomic status, living conditions, access to services, and community safety.

Dr. Mercy Karanja, Director of the Mental Health Division at the Ministry of Health, underscored the policy significance of the findings:

“These findings show us the extent to which trauma and PTSD are affecting Kenyans and remind us that mental health must be at the centre of our health priorities. With this evidence, we can design stronger policies, allocate resources more effectively, and ensure communities across the country have access to care that meets their needs.”

The GPAA study also piloted innovations such as the STAIR Coach mobile app, showing promise as a scalable trauma care tool. It has further expanded into NeuroGAP – Psychosis II at Mathari Hospital, advancing research into conditions such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Psychosis.