PREVALENCE OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN FLOOD AFFECTED POPPULATION OF BANDA SHEIKH ISMAIL, DISTRICT NOWSHERA

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess the psychologicalstatus of flood affected population and the level of mental health with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) measures and to investigate the level of PTSD on gender basis.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey of flood affected people of Banda Sheikh Ismail was conducted from November 2010 to January 2011. The respondentswere asked about their experience of the disaster, how they perceiveit. The main outcome measures were description of demographic factors,PTSD and their risk factors. Their mental health was assessed by using 17items PTSD Scale. Data analysis was done using SPSS 17.

Results: Of 87 survey respondents 51% were males 48% were females.40%were illiterate but irrespective of the gender or education status all had samedegree of PTSD.90.8% respondents were reported to have moderate PTSDlevel and 9.2% had severe PTSD level. Age, gender and education level didnot have any correlation with PTSD development. The earnings lost and developmentof PTSD shows a positive and highly significant relation (p 0.015).The duration spent in the floods and how the affected person perceives theseverity of flood had a positive correlation with PTSD development.

Conclusion: The present findings indicates that any person who has witnesseda disastrous event like flood is at risk for development of PTSD theneed to provide specialized post disaster mental health services to groupswith significant levels of PTSD after a disaster of such high intensity.