Abstract
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its risk factors among survivors in a heavily-hit area five years after the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008, China.Methods684 survivors from Beichuan county, the center of the Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008, were evaluated using the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) questionnaire in 2013.ResultsThe prevalence of PTSD among survivors was 9.2% in 2013. Significant risk factors of PTSD included gender (females 12.1%, males 5.2%), age (18–35 y 0.8%, 36–59 y 9.7%, ≥60 y 12.9%), occupation (farmers 12.2%, non-farmers 1.6%), education (less than high school 11.0%; > = high school 0.8%) and family member loss (yes: 12.4%, no: 7.3%). Multivariate logistic regression showed that females, older people, farmers and those with family member loss were significantly more likely to develop PTSD.ConclusionsPosttraumatic stress symptoms remained relatively common among survivors five years after the “5.12” Earthquake in Beichuan county, China. It is important to provide psychological aid and social support for survivors to decease health burden from PTSD, especially for females, farmers, old age survivors and those with family member loss.
Highlights
On May 12, 2008, a major earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale hit Wenchuan country, Sichuan province of Southwest China
Many studies have detected a variety of psychological problems following the “5.12” Wenchuan earthquake, especially posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [2,3,4]
The significant variables identified for PTSD were gender, age group, education level, occupation and family member loss
Summary
The significant variables identified for PTSD were gender, age group, education level, occupation and family member loss (all p < 0.05). Among all 684 participants, the positive rates were 24.4% for “intrusive re-experiencing” group (B group), 4.4% for “avoidance and numbing” group (C group), and 13.2% for “hyper-arousal” group (D group), respectively. Among the 63 probable PTSD participants, the percentages of positive symptoms for “intrusive re-experiencing”, “avoidance and numbing” and “hyper-arousal” groups. Female gender (OR = 2.08), older age (36–59 y: OR = 7.52, ≥60 y: OR = 9.64, vs
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