ABSTRACT

This study investigated the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse among Victims of flood disaster in Makurdi Local Government Area, Benue State. One hundred and ninety six flood disaster victims (99 males, and 97 females) were compared with one hundred and ninety five non-flood victims (98 males, and 97 females). The total sample consisted of one hundred and ninety seven (197) males and one hundred and ninety four (194) females, one hundred and eighteen (118) younger and seventy eight older persons. Age range was 18-60 years. The instrument used were the post-traumatic stress disorder inventory (Onyeizugbo, 2009), and the CAGE questionnaire (Ewing, 1984). The findings showed that there was no significant difference in the rate of prevalence of PTSD among male and female respondents.There was no significant difference in the prevalence rate of PTSD between the younger and the older respondents. However, there was a significant difference in the rate of PTSD between those exposed to flood disaster and those who were not. There was a negative correlation between PTSD and alcohol abuse. The limitations of the study were highlighted and recommendation