PURPOSE: To characterize child survivors' mental health and quality of life after a massive earthquake. METHODS: A population-based survey of 596 children aged between 8 and 16 years was conducted in the severely affected areas of the earthquake, using a multi-stage systematic sampling design. RESULTS: The point prevalence rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among the child survivors aged between 8 and 16 years 15 months after the earthquake were 12.4 and 13.9%, respectively. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was found to be strongly and negatively associated with PTSD and depression. Children who had lost family members were most likely to develop PTSD (OR = 6.6; P < 0.001) as well as depression (OR = 4.1; P < 0.001). Children who reported no utilization of mental health services were four times more likely to suffer from PTSD than those who did not (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: More than one in five child survivors were identified as having PTSD or depression; HRQoL of these identified children were deeply compromised. Utilization of mental health services may significantly reduce the risk of developing PTSD symptoms.
PURPOSE: To characterize child survivors' mental health and quality of life after a massive earthquake. METHODS: A population-based survey of 596 children aged between 8 and 16 years was conducted in the severely affected areas of the earthquake, using a multi-stage systematic sampling design. RESULTS: The point prevalence rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among the child survivors aged between 8 and 16 years 15 months after the earthquake were 12.4 and 13.9%, respectively. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was found to be strongly and negatively associated with PTSD and depression. Children who had lost family members were most likely to develop PTSD (OR = 6.6; P < 0.001) as well as depression (OR = 4.1; P < 0.001). Children who reported no utilization of mental health services were four times more likely to suffer from PTSD than those who did not (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: More than one in five child survivors were identified as having PTSD or depression; HRQoL of these identified children were deeply compromised. Utilization of mental health services may significantly reduce the risk of developing PTSD symptoms.
Authors: Warunee Thienkrua; Barbara Lopes Cardozo; M L Somchai Chakkraband; Thomas E Guadamuz; Wachira Pengjuntr; Prawate Tantipiwatanaskul; Suchada Sakornsatian; Suparat Ekassawin; Benjaporn Panyayong; Anchalee Varangrat; Jordan W Tappero; Merritt Schreiber; Frits van Griensven Journal: JAMA Date: 2006-08-02 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Michael A Jhung; Nadine Shehab; Cherise Rohr-Allegrini; Daniel A Pollock; Roger Sanchez; Fernando Guerra; Daniel B Jernigan Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2007-09 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: A K Goenjian; R S Pynoos; A M Steinberg; L M Najarian; J R Asarnow; I Karayan; M Ghurabi; L A Fairbanks Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 1995-09 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: Carl F Weems; Leslie K Taylor; Melinda F Cannon; Reshelle C Marino; Dawn M Romano; Brandon G Scott; Andre M Perry; Vera Triplett Journal: J Abnorm Child Psychol Date: 2010-01
Authors: R S Pynoos; A Goenjian; M Tashjian; M Karakashian; R Manjikian; G Manoukian; A M Steinberg; L A Fairbanks Journal: Br J Psychiatry Date: 1993-08 Impact factor: 9.319