Prevalence of Violence Exposure and PTSD Among Adolescents in Udugama, Sri Lanka

The April 2019 bombings killed or injured more than 700 people. Credit: Jeppe Schilder

Project member(s):

  • Grace Lowitzer

Faculty mentor:

Community partners:

  • Dr. Thyaggi Ponnamperuma
    Senior Lecturer
    Department of Community Medicine
    Faculty of Medicine
    University of Ruhuna

Prevalence of Violence Exposure and PTSD Among Adolescents in Udugama, Sri Lanka

Project overview

Violence exposure in children can lead to psychological problems and poor health outcomes that can be associated with post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD).  This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of full or partial PTSD associated with exposure to the community and domestic violence in school-aged children in Sri Lanka.  The study aimed to (1a) estimate the prevalence of community violence and domestic violence among school-aged adolescents in Sri Lanka, (1b) estimate the prevalence of community violence and domestic violence overall and by gender among school-aged adolescents in Sri Lanka, (2) among those who experience community and/or domestic violence, what is the prevalence of partial PTSD and full PTSD, and (3) what is the relationship between age, gender, socioeconomic status, and length of exposure and partial or full PTSD.

Project poster

Media and resources

What is triggering communal violence in Sri Lanka? | Inside Story

Riverside land in Udugama, Sri Lanka
Riverside land in Udugama, Sri Lanka

Udugama Maha Vidyalaya - Galle High School in Udugama, Sri Lanka
Udugama Maha Vidyalaya - Galle High School in Udugama, Sri Lanka

Map of Udugama, Sri Lanka
Map of Udugama, Sri Lanka

For every child, #ENDViolence campaign

Last updated on June 26, 2023