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CTS has generated debate in the context of current definitions of trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the DSM-5. Prevalence data on posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and PTSD in adolescents aged 10 to 24 years following CTS exposure in Sub-Saharan Africa are lacking. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to address this gap. We also synthesized evidence on other trauma-related mental disorders and moderators such as mean age, sex, country income, education level, PTSS\/PTSD assessment tool, and recruitment method. A systematic literature search covering four databases yielded 460 papers that were screened for eligibility, with 10 studies included. Data were extracted and coded, and a meta-analysis of the pooled prevalence of clinically significant PTSS\/PTSD was conducted. Results indicated a pooled prevalence of PTSS\/PTSD of 32.0% (95% CI: 20.7% to 46.0%). Country income (World Bank category) and type of assessment (clinician-administered vs. self-report) significantly moderated the prevalence of PTSS\/PTSD. Further research is needed to not only measure CTS as an exposure but also as a response separate from PTSS\/PTSD among adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, research is needed to determine the validity, reliability, and cultural relevance of CTS response measures. Such studies will help in better understanding the psychosocial impact of CTS exposure on adolescents and inform the development of future interventions. Detailed data on the prevalence of PTSS\/PTSD and moderators thereof following CTS exposure in Sub-Saharan Africa are sparse. Further studies are needed to characterize CTS-related comorbidities and related phenomena in adolescents living under conditions of CTS exposure and to optimize evidence-based interventions.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1017\/gmh.2026.10129","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,14]],"date-time":"2026-01-14T04:49:46Z","timestamp":1768366186000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/policypage","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Posttraumatic stress symptoms and posttraumatic stress disorder in adolescents exposed to continuous traumatic stress in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis"],"prefix":"10.1017","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Mohhadiah","family":"Rafique","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/05bk57929","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}],"name":"Stellenbosch 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