The Contributing Factors of Delayed-Onset Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: A Nested Case-Control Study Conducted After the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake

Long term impact of Wenchuan earthquake on population mental and behavioral disorders in heavily-stricken areas: An ecological study based on big data

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to explore and evaluate the development trends and differential changes in the prevalence of mental and behavioral disorders among the earthquake survivors in exposure groups (highly hard-hit areas) and control groups (general disaster areas) from 2015 to 2019, as well as to investigate the potential influencing factors.

METHODS

Data was obtained from the Sichuan Health Information System and the Sichuan Health Yearbook, the prevalence of the exposure group and the control group were calculated, the difference between the two groups was evaluated using the prevalence rate ratio, and a fixed effect model was developed to investigate the potential influencing factors of the prevalence.

RESULTS

The prevalence by gender and age in the exposure group was always greater than those in the control group (RR>1), although the disparity between the two proceeded to diminish with time. The urbanization rate (β = 0.0448, P < 0.05) and disaster area levels (β = 0.0104, P < 0.05) were risk factors for the prevalence of mental and behavioral disorders.

LIMITATIONS

The study only collected data at the group level following the Wenchuan earthquake. Consequently, the findings are only applicable at the group level. Furthermore, diagnostic criteria for various types of mental and behavioral disorders diseases were not provided.

CONCLUSIONS

The earthquake has a significant long-term impact on mental health. It is necessary to continuously monitor the mental health of Wenchuan earthquake survivors and take appropriate post-disaster intervention measures.

Evaluation of the demographic characteristics and general health status of earthquake survivors affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake; a section from Gaziantep Nurdağı district

BACKGROUND

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 occurred in Pazarcık District of Turkey at 04.17 on February 6, 2023 and another earthquake of 7.6 occurred at 13.24 on the same day. This is the second largest earthquake to have occurred in Turkey. The aim of this study is to investigate the earthquake-related level of knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, general health and psychological status of survivors who were affected by the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake and who were living in Nurdağı District of Gaziantep after the earthquake.

METHODS

Data of 2317 individuals older than 18 years of age who were living in earthquake neighbourhoods, tents and containers in Nurdağı District of Gaziantep were examined. Variables were evaluated to find out the demographic characteristics and general health status of earthquake victims. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to find out psychological states of earthquake victims.

RESULTS

The rate of injuries was 14.2% and leg and foot injuries were the most common with 44.2%. The relationship between injury status; and age, marital status, and being trapped under debris was revealed (p < 0.05). Mean GHQ-12 score of the survivors was 3.81 ± 2.81 and 51.9% experienced psychological distress. In the evaluation with logistic regression, it was found that female gender, being injured in the earthquake, loss of first degree and second degree relatives (with a higher rate in loss of first degree relative), having a severely damaged -to be demolished house and having a completely destroyed house were correlated with higher level of psychological distress (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

General characteristics, injury prevalence and affecting factors of earthquake survivors were evaluated in the present study. Psychological distress was found in victims. For this reason, providing protective and assistive services to fight the destructive effects of earthquake is vital. Accordingly, increasing the awareness of people residing in earthquake zones regarding earthquakes is exceptionally important.