Analysis of prevalence of PTSD and its influencing factors among college students after the Wenchuan earthquake

Yan Fu,Yongshun Chen,Xiaohui Tang,Chunhua Yu,Jin Wang,Jieyun He,Miaorui Jiao,Junying Li,Guiying You

doi:10.1186/1753-2000-7-1

Abstract

BackgroundThis study explored the prevalence and severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in college students who lived in earthquake center one year after the Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, 2008, the factors affecting the prevalence of PTSD was also investigated.Methods2987 students studying at the senior normal school in Tibetan autonomous region which was one of the most devastated regions were selected for this study. The PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) was used as a screening instrument.ResultsA total of 420 cases (14.1%) were diagnosed with PTSD, among which mild, moderate, severe and extreme symptoms were reported in 122, 185, 106 and 7 cases, respectively. The PTSD prevalence in college students lived in the severely affected area was significantly higher than that in the less severe area (P < 0.001). According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the students who were injured in the earthquake, those lost their first degree relative, and those confronted with dead bodies were more likely to express PTSD. Male students were more prone than female students to develop PTSD. However, the students who received psychological tutorship were less prone to express PTSD.ConclusionsAt one year after the earthquake, the PTSD rate in college students in the severely affected area was high. The social support, psychological help and rehabilitation project should be strengthened to improve their ability to cope with the trauma.

Highlights

This study explored the prevalence and severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in college students who lived in earthquake center one year after the Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, 2008, the factors affecting the prevalence of PTSD was investigated
The effective questionnaires were subdivided into the severe disaster area and non-severe disaster area according to the locations of students when the earthquake happened, and the severe disaster areas declared by the government included Yingxiu, Beichuan and Qingchuan
There was no significant difference in the gender ratio between those who lived in the severe disaster and non-severe disaster areas

Summary

Introduction

This study explored the prevalence and severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in college students who lived in earthquake center one year after the Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, 2008, the factors affecting the prevalence of PTSD was investigated. PTSD is a mental health problem that can occur following the direct experience or witnessing of lifethreatening events such as natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or physical or sexual assault in adult or childhood. It is a medically recognized anxiety disorder that occurs in normal individuals under extremely stressful conditions. People who suffer from PTSD often experience symptoms including difficulty sleeping, nightmares and uncontrollable thoughts, feeling estranged from others and depression. The symptoms can be severe enough and last long enough to significantly impair the person’s ability to function in social or family life [2]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion