Posttraumatic stress disorder among survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake 1 year after: prevalence and risk factors.

Exposure to earthquakes has been associated with psychological distress in particular, the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aims of this study are to estimate the prevalence of PTSD, explore the associated risk factors among survivors 1 year after the Wenchuan earthquake in China, and compare the findings in our study to other disasters. Cross-sectional sample survey was conducted to collect data in severely affected counties. We use the PTSD Check List-Civilian Version, which consists of 17 items corresponding to each symptom in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition PTSD criteria B, C, and D. The prevalence estimates of probable PTSD in our sample ranged from 21.5% (based on Check List-Civilian Version score of 50 or higher) to 40.1% (based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria). The prevalence of PTSD was high, compared with rates of PTSD in previous studies. Low social support, feeling fear during the earthquake, female, young people, Han nationality, low monthly income, and low educational level were risk factors significantly related to the development of PTSD. Postdisaster mental health recovery interventions including early identification, ongoing monitoring, and sustained psychosocial support are required for the high-risk population with PTSD. Existing rural and urban health care services should be convenient for people, and special measures need to be designed, such as home visits and mobile clinics.

Xu J ，Song X 《-》

A cross-sectional study among survivors of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake: prevalence and risk factors of posttraumatic stress disorder.

The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), explore the related risk factors among Sichuan earthquake survivors in different counties and compare the findings in our study to others. A cross-sectional sample survey was conducted to collect data in heavily (n=367) and moderately damaged counties (n=337). We used the PTSD Check List-Civilian Version (PCL-C), which consists of 17 items corresponding to each symptom of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The prevalence of probable PTSD in heavily damaged counties (48.2%) was higher than that in moderately damaged counties (14.5%). Many associated risk factors were identified in the cross-sectional study. Female, Han nationality, low monthly income, fear during earthquake and low social support in the past year were significant risk factors in heavily damaged counties, while the probable PTSD in moderately damaged counties was related to female, youth, fear during earthquake and low social support.

Xu J ，Song X 《-》

Prevalence and risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder: a cross-sectional study among survivors of the Wenchuan 2008 earthquake in China.

Kun P ，Han S ，Chen X ，Yao L ... -  《-》

Prevalence and risk factors of post-traumatic stress disorder among adult survivors six months after the Wenchuan earthquake.

Exposure to earthquake has been associated with psychological distress, in particular, the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of PTSD, explore the associated risk factors among adult survivors 6 months after the Wenchuan earthquake in China, and compare the findings in our study to other studies about the Wenchuan earthquake and other earthquakes that occurred in the past. Multistage stratified random sampling methods were conducted in three severely affected areas in the Wenchuan earthquake. In this study, 14,798 individuals were identified with simple random selection methods at the sampling sites, 14,207 individuals were screened with the 12-item General Health Questionnaire(GHQ-12), and 3692 individuals were administered a Chinese version of the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM)-IV axis I disorders (SCID-I/P) by 180 psychiatrists. The prevalence of PTSD was 15.57%. The risk factors for PTSD included old age, female gender, living alone, buried in the earthquake, injured in the earthquake, operated on after the earthquake, witnessing someone get injured in the earthquake, witnessing someone get buried in the earthquake, witnessing someone die in the earthquake (P<0.05, 95% CI). PTSD is common after a major disaster. Risk factors help people to identify the potential victims after disasters in time. Post-disaster mental health recovery interventions include early identification, sustained psychosocial support, governmental programs that provide social and economic support.

Zhou X ，Kang L ，Sun X ，Song H ，Mao W ，Huang X ，Zhang Y ，Li J ... -  《-》

What are the determinants of post-traumatic stress disorder: age, gender, ethnicity or other? Evidence from 2008 Wenchuan earthquake.

To estimate the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and assess determinants related to PTSD symptoms among adult earthquake survivors after the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. Cross-sectional multicluster sample surveys with data collected from four counties. Surveys were conducted separately in four counties in Sichuan Province, with a total of 2004 respondents. Beichuan County and Dujiangyan City were damaged more severely than Yaan County and Langzhong County during the earthquake. In total, 1890 households were represented, with a mean of 2.2 respondents per household. Data were collected using structured interviews, and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria were used to diagnose PTSD. The prevalence rates of suspected PTSD were 47.3% (n = 436) in heavily damaged areas and 10.4% (n = 93) in moderately damaged areas. The prevalence rates of PTSD symptoms among elderly, middle aged and young adults were 55.8%, 50.2% and 28.6% (P = 0.001), respectively, in heavily damaged areas. Older age, female gender, unmarried/divorced/widowed, ethnic minority, death of family member, no household income and damaged household were independent risk factors for PTSD symptoms in heavily damaged areas. Interventions designed to reduce PTSD among populations affected by the 2008 earthquake should focus on people without household incomes, those with damaged households and those who experienced the death of a family member. Effective, sustainable and culturally sensitive psychosocial interventions and mental health services are required, and attention should be directed to survivors who experienced the death of a family member, women and older adults following the devastating natural disaster. Governments should support income-generating activities and improve living conditions. Trained field personnel can assist with PTSD assessments and referrals, and existing rural healthcare services can be used to provide treatment for common psychiatric disorders.

Kun P ，Tong X ，Liu Y ，Pei X ，Luo H ... -  《-》