South Sudanese Communities' Participation in Evidence-Based PTSD Interventions Six Months Post Implementation: A Meta-Analysis

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) survivors in conflict-affected communities of South Sudan require effective mental health interventions to mitigate symptoms and improve quality of life. A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted using structured data from multiple studies that adhered to rigorous standards for evidence-based mental health practices. Data were analysed using Mixed-Effects Meta-Regression Models (MEMR) with robust standard errors incorporated into the analysis. Community participation rates in evidence-based PTSD interventions ranged between 45% and 60%, with a notable reduction of PTSD symptom severity scores by an average of 23.1% across all studies, indicating effective community engagement and intervention impact. The meta-analysis underscores the importance of including communities in evidence-based mental health practices for sustainable outcomes, highlighting the need for ongoing research and support mechanisms. Policy-makers should prioritise strategies that enhance community participation in PTSD interventions to ensure long-term benefits for South Sudanese populations. South Sudan, PTSD Interventions, Community Participation, Meta-Analysis, Mixed-Effects Meta-Regression Models Treatment effect was estimated with logit(pᵢ)=β₀+β^ Xᵢ, and uncertainty reported using confidence-interval based inference.