Prevalence of and Sex Disparities in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in an Internally Displaced Sri Lankan Population 6 Months After the 2004 Tsunami

2007 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Padmini D. Ranasinghe ◽  
Becca R. Levy

ABSTRACTBackground: When the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami suddenly hit unsuspecting coastal populations in Sri Lanka, it inflicted unprecedented devastation including 35,000 deaths and 500,000 people displaced. Evaluating the psychological impact of this natural disaster provides valuable insights into planning interventions and disaster preparedness.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 264 adult males and females ≥16 years old living in temporary shelters housing tsunami survivors at 6 months. Interviewer-administered structured interviews were conducted to measure posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its risk factors.Results: The participation rate was 97%. Of the subjects, 56% met criteria for symptoms of PTSD, with females at 64% and males at 42%. Females had at least twice the risk of experiencing PTSD (odds ratio [OR] 2.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37–3.76). This sex difference persisted after adjusting for age, marital status, being a parent, loss of family members, amount of social support, education level, and level of depression (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.21–3.80). Depression was significantly associated with PTSD (OR 7.19, 95% CI 3.83–13.52).Conclusions: In this directly affected population, a majority met criteria for PTSD, indicating a significant long-term public health burden. The findings also confirm that females are at much higher risk for PTSD than males, suggesting that special mental health efforts should be targeted at women exposed to trauma. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2007;1:34–43)

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Perjan Hashim Taha ◽  
Nezar Ismet Taib ◽  
Hushyar Musa Sulaiman

Abstract Background In 2014, the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) took over one-third of Iraq. This study measured the rate of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Iraqi Yazidi internally displaced persons (IDPs) and examined associated demographic and traumatic risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out in April–June 2015 at the Khanke camp, northern Iraq. Trauma exposure and PTSD were measured by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (Iraqi version). Results Of 814 adult Yazidi IDPs, 34% screened positive for PTSD. Avoidance and intrusion symptoms had the highest means (M = 3.16, SD = 0.86 and M = 2.63, SD = 0.59 respectively). Associated factors of PTSD included exposure to a high number of traumatic events, unmet basic needs and having witnessed the destruction of residential or religious areas (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.02–1.9 and OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.01–1.53 respectively). Being a widow was the only linked demographic factor (OR = 15.39, 95% CI: 3.02–78.39). Conclusions High traumatic exposure, specifically unmet basic needs and having witnessed destruction, was an important predictor of PTSD among Yazidi IDPs. These findings are important for mental health planning for IDPs in camps.


2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa N. Jackson ◽  
Jake P. Morgan ◽  
Diane L. Jackson ◽  
Taylor R. Cook ◽  
Kevin McLean ◽  
...  

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among trauma surgeons is three times that of the general population, and physician burnout (PBO) among surgeons is rising. Given that PTSD and PBO are both stress-based syndromes, we aim to identify the prevalence and risk factors for PTSD among trauma and nontrauma surgeons, and determine if a relationship exists. A cross-sectional survey of surgeons was conducted between September 2016 and May 2017. Respondents were screened for PTSD and PBO. Traumatic stressors were identified, and 20 potential risk factors were assessed. The respondents (n = 1026) were grouped into trauma (n = 350) and nontrauma (n = 676). Between the cohorts, there was no significant difference in prevalence of screening positive for PTSD (17% vs 15%) or PBO (30% vs 25%). A relationship was found between PTSD and PBO (P < 0.001). The most common traumatic stressor was overwhelming work responsibilities. Potential risk factors for PTSD differed, but overlapping risk factors included hospital culture, hospital support, and salary (P < 0.05). Our findings of an association between PTSD and PBO is concerning. Interventions to reduce rates of PTSD should target changing the existing culture of surgery, improving hospital support, and ensuring equitable pay.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Saiful Islam ◽  
Estiar Rahman ◽  
Rajon Banik ◽  
Galib Ishraq Emran ◽  
Noshin Saiara ◽  
...  

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the physical, mental and financial health of many individuals. How substantially marginalized groups like impoverished urban-dwelling individuals are specifically impacted amid this pandemic is poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate correlates of financial concerns and symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the COVID-19 pandemic among impoverished urban-dwelling individuals residing in Dhaka, Bangladesh.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between August and September 2020 using face-to-face interviews in six disadvantaged neighborhoods (“slums”) in Dhaka. Individuals were interviewed using a structured questionnaire consisting of questions assessing socio-demographics, lifestyle, financial well-being relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, depression, and PTSD.Results: A total of 435 individuals (male=54.7%; mean age=45.0±12.0 years; age range=18-85 years) participated. Most (96.3%) reported that their household income decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Associated factors included female gender, primary education, jobless, food scarcity, and depression. Depression symptoms were linked to female gender, being jobless, being divorced, living in a joint family, excessive sleep, and smoking. Low incomes, excessive sleep, joblessness, and food scarcity were positively associated with PTSD symptoms. In contrast, less sleep appeared protective against PTSD. Limitations: Potential limitations included cross-sectional study design and limited sample size.Conclusions: Public health initiatives, in particular mental health services, should be introduced to mitigate against psychological and financial effects of the pandemic on impoverished urban-dwelling individuals in Bangladesh.


2010 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric A. Dedert ◽  
Sarah M. Wilson ◽  
Patrick S. Calhoun ◽  
Scott D. Moore ◽  
Kim W. Hamlett-Berry ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Anderson Diaz Perez ◽  
Elvis Eliana Pinto Aragón ◽  
Carmenza Leonor Mendoza Cataño ◽  
Moraima del Toro Rubio ◽  
Elkin Navarro-Quiroz

INTRODUCTION: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric syndrome known since 1980 with multiple names in the military field. Its etiology is multicausal, whose predominant factor is the lack of adaptation and managing with events considered traumatic. Objective. To describe the clinical characteristics such as the type of psychological and pharmacological treatment received by the naval military with diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder at the Psychiatric Unit of Cartagena’s Naval Hospital.METHODOLOGY: A descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study with an associative approach (Crosstabulation). The sample was 242 navy subjects with PTSD diagnosis. The information was collected with a data collection form of medical records. The information analysis was developed through the program SPSS ® 21.0. Chi2 and value of p≤0.05 calculation was applied through the crossing of variables.RESULTS: The most prevalent type of traumatic event was the one represented by combat with the presence of depressive disorders and anxiety with a value of p≤0.05.CONCLUSIONS: The PTSD severity is related to the severity of the event, in addition if the trumatic event was repetitive.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Richard A. Bryant ◽  
Kim L. Felmingham ◽  
Gin Malhi ◽  
Elpiniki Andrew ◽  
Mayuresh S. Korgaonkar

Abstract Background There is controversy over the extent to which the new International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) diagnosis of complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is distinct from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study aimed to conduct the first investigation of distinctive neural processes during threat processing in CPTSD relative to PTSD. Method This cross-sectional functional magnetic resonance study included 99 participants who met criteria for PTSD (PTSD = 32, CPTSD = 28) and 39 trauma-exposed controls. PTSD was assessed with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). CPTSD was assessed with an adapted version of the International Trauma Questionnaire. Neural responses were measured across the brain while threat or neutral faces were presented at both supraliminal and subliminal levels. Results During supraliminal presentations of threat stimuli, there was greater bilateral insula and right amygdala activation in CPTSD participants relative to PTSD. Reduced supraliminal right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation and increased subliminal amygdala and insula activation were observed as common dysfunction for both CPTSD and PTSD groups relative to trauma controls. There were no significant differences in terms of subliminal presentations and no differences in functional connectivity. Dissociative responses were positively associated with right insula activation (r = 0.347, p < 0.01). Conclusions These results provide the first evidence of distinct neural profiles of CPTSD and PTSD during threat processing. The observation of increased insula and right amygdala activation in CPTSD accords with the proposal that CPTSD is distinguished from PTSD by disturbances in emotion regulation and self-concept.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Elizabeth G. Spitzer ◽  
Natasha Benfer ◽  
Kelly L. Zuromski ◽  
Brian P. Marx ◽  
Tracy K. Witte

Abstract Background As self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITB) remain a pressing public health concern, research continues to focus on risk factors, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Network analysis provides a novel approach to examining the PTSD-SITB relationship. This study utilized the network approach to elucidate how individual PTSD symptoms may drive and maintain SITB. Methods We estimated cross-sectional networks in two samples of trauma-exposed adults (Sample 1: N = 349 adults; Sample 2: N = 1307 Veterans) to identify PTSD symptoms that may act as bridges to SITB. Additionally, we conducted a cross-lagged panel network in Sample 2 to further clarify the temporal relationship between PTSD symptoms and SITB during a 2-year follow-up. Finally, in both samples, we conducted logistic regressions to examine the utility of PTSD symptoms in prospectively predicting SITB, over a 15-day period (Sample 1) and over a 2-year period (Sample 2), allowing us to examine both short- and long-term prediction. Results Two PTSD symptoms (i.e. negative beliefs and risky behaviors) emerged as highly influential on SITB in both cross-sectional networks. In the cross-lagged panel network, distorted blame emerged as highly influential on SITB over time. Finally, risky behaviors, unwanted memories, and psychological distress served as the strongest predictors of SITB across the two samples. Conclusions Overall, our results suggest that treatments targeting negative beliefs and risky behaviors may prevent SITB in community and Veteran populations, whereas treatments targeting distorted blame and unwanted memories may help reduce SITB for individuals with a history of combat trauma.


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