Abstract
BackgroundThe 2004 Niigata-Chuetsu earthquake of Japan caused considerable damage. We assessed long-term changes in psychological distress among earthquake victims during the period 5 years after the earthquake.MethodsThe participants were people aged 18 years or older living in Yamakoshi, a community in Niigata Prefecture near the epicenter. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted annually for 5 consecutive years after the earthquake. Response rates were 1316/1841 (71.5%) in 2005, 667/1381 (48.3%) in 2006, 753/1451 (51.9%) in 2007, 541/1243 (43.5%) in 2008, and 814/1158 (70.3%) in 2009. The questionnaire asked about demographic characteristics, including sex, age, employment status, social network, and psychological status. Psychological distress was assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire and was defined as a total score of 4 or higher.ResultsThe overall prevalence of psychological distress decreased (P < 0.0001) gradually from 2005 (51.0%) to 2008 (30.1%) but tended to increase from 2008 to 2009 (P = 0.1590). Subgroup analyses showed that prevalence did not decrease over the 5-year study period among participants with poor social contact (P = 0.0659). From 2008 to 2009 prevalence increased in women (+7.5%, P = 0.0403) and participants aged 65 years or older (+7.2%, P = 0.0400).ConclusionsThe prevalence of psychological distress in Yamakoshi people decreased steadily during the 4 years immediately after the earthquake but appeared to increase thereafter. The earthquake victims are still reestablishing their lives. Thus, continued attention should be focused on maintaining and further assessing their mental health.
Highlights
The 2004 Niigata-Chuetsu earthquake in Japan had a nearepicenter maximum seismic intensity of 7 on the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Intensity (JMAI) scale and killed more than 60 people
The epicenter was located at latitude 37°29′ N and longitude 138°87′ E.7. This survey was conducted by the local government and the Niigata Institute for Traumatic Stress (Mental Health and Welfare Association in Niigata Prefecture) as part of postearthquake health checks for people registered as Yamakoshi residents between 2005 and 2009
This study presented findings related to recovery from psychological distress among adults living in a community hit by a large earthquake
Summary
The 2004 Niigata-Chuetsu earthquake in Japan had a nearepicenter maximum seismic intensity of 7 on the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Intensity (JMAI) scale and killed more than 60 people. Previous epidemiologic studies found that the prevalence of psychological distress remains elevated many years after earthquakes.[4,5] Similar long-standing adverse effects on psychological health may have been present after the Niigata-Chuetsu earthquake. Thousands of people in the disaster area required temporary housing for 3 years,[6] and financial problems due to property damage and/or unemployment after the earthquake were long-lasting.[2] the long-term effects of psychological distress after the Niigata-Chuetsu earthquake warrant investigation. We assessed long-term changes in psychological distress among earthquake victims during the period 5 years after the earthquake. Conclusions: The prevalence of psychological distress in Yamakoshi people decreased steadily during the 4 years immediately after the earthquake but appeared to increase thereafter. Continued attention should be focused on maintaining and further assessing their mental health
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