A monumental 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.
Led by Prof. Lukoye Atwoli, Deputy Director at BMI and Dean of Medical College at Aga Khan University, East Africa, alongside the 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, the study 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. Lukoye Atwoli emphasized the importance of ensuring African populations are included in global psychiatric research and the opportunities this study creates for locally relevant solutions, noting, “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.”
Preliminary results show that 55% of Kenyan adults were likely to have experienced PTSD at some point in their lives, while 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. Dr. Mercy Karanja, Director of the Mental Health Division at the Ministry of Health, underscored the policy significance of the study’s findings and their implications for national planning:
“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 results also revealed notable geographic differences across Nairobi’s urban areas, with Westlands Subcounty reporting the highest prevalence of PTSD symptoms in the past month at 48%, while Kibra reported the lowest at 17%. These disparities highlight that trauma is unevenly distributed, shaped by variations in living conditions, socioeconomic status, access to services, and community safety. The findings underscore the need for targeted, context-specific interventions that address the unique challenges faced by different sub-counties and ensure that support systems and resources reach the communities most in need.
The Genetics of PTSD in African Ancestry Populations (GPAA) study represents the first large, well-powered genome-wide investigation of PTSD in African ancestry populations, bridging a critical research gap. It has also piloted innovations such as the STAIR Coach mobile app, which has shown feasibility as a scalable tool for trauma care, and expanded into NeuroGAP – Psychosis II at Mathari Hospital, furthering research on neuropsychiatric conditions such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, and Psychosis.
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