Background Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops due to exposure to a traumatic experience, leading to functional impairment and diminishes the quality of life. Most previous studies were not conducted during ongoing armed conflict and do not provide a detailed exploration of trauma survivors’ actual experiences. As a result, it is critical to understand the prevalence of PTSD and its impact on the lives of Bahir Dar residents.

Methods A convergent mixed study design was conducted in Bahir Dar city Northwest Ethiopia. The participants were selected from the general population. The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) was utilized to assess the PTSD and in-depth interviews were conducted to explore the lived experiences of the participants. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify determinant factors, and all significance tests with a p-value < 0.05 were considered significant factors associated with PTSD.

Results The prevalence of PTSD was 36.2%. Being female divorced/widowed marital status, depression, suicidal behavior, stressful life event, poor social support, perceived stress, and problematic substance use were statistically significantly associated with PTSD. The in-depth interview identified four themes: traumatic experiences, PTSD symptoms, coping mechanisms, and impact on life.

Conclusion the prevalence of PTSD was found to be high among residents in Bahir Dar city. Therefore, it is essential to develop comprehensive support systems that address these mental health challenges and promote recovery.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.

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The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

Ethics committee/Institutional Review Board of Bahir Dar University College of Medicine and Health Sciences gave ethical approval for this work under protocol number 2074/2024.

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