Background: Military operations, sectarian strife, and different crimes have plagued Iraqis for decades. This extended exposure has caused depressive illnesses, anxiety, and PTSD in the community. The project seeks to estimate PTSD prevalence in teenage pupils, evaluate their academic performance, and discover characteristics connected to their exposure to violence and its effects.

Method: This cross-sectional study, conducted from February to June 2012 in four secondary schools in Baghdad's Al-Saydiyah neighborhood, surveyed 240 students to assess the impact of trauma on their academic performance using a two-part questionnaire. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire was used to diagnose PTSD, with a cutoff score of ≥2.5 indicating PTSD, and a similar scoring system assessed academic achievement, with scores ≥2.5 reflecting poor performance. Proper permissions and informed consent were secured, ensuring ethical compliance throughout the study.

Results: This cross-sectional study assessed 240 secondary students in Baghdad's Al-Saydiyah neighborhood, finding a PTSD prevalence of 37.1%. Significant associations were found between PTSD and maternal factors (presence and occupation), and the integrity of the parental unit. Additionally, there was a robust link between PTSD and poor academic performance, indicating a substantial impact on students' educational outcomes.

Conclusion: The study in Baghdad's Al-Saydiyah neighborhood reveals a high PTSD prevalence (37.08%) among secondary students, significantly influenced by family structure, particularly maternal presence and involvement. This condition markedly diminishes academic performance, highlighting the critical link between mental health and educational achievement. These findings underscore the necessity for integrated support systems to aid students in conflict zones.