Citation

Dirkzwager AJ, Grievink L, van der Velden PG, Yzermans CJ. Br. J. Psychiatry 2006; 189: 144-149.

Affiliation

NIVEL, P.O. Box 1568, 3500 BN Utrecht, The Netherlands. a.dirkzwager@nivel.nl.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

10.1192/bjp.bp.105.017855

PMID

16880484

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are few prospective studies on risk factors for health problems after disasters in which actual pre-disaster health data are available. AIMS: To examine whether survivors' personal characteristics, and pre-disaster psychological problems, and disaster-related variables, are related to their post-disaster health. METHOD: Two studies were combined: a longitudinal survey using the electronic medical records of survivors' general practitioners (GPs), from 1 year before to 1 year after the disaster, and a survey in which questionnaires were filled in by survivors, 3 weeks and18 months after the disaster. Data from both surveys and the electronic medical records were available for 994 survivors. RESULTS: After adjustment for demographic and disaster-related variables, pre-existing psychological problems were significantly associated with post-disaster self-reported health problems and post-disaster problems presented presentedtothe to the GP. This association was found for both psychological and physical post-disaster problems. CONCLUSIONS: In trying to prevent long-term health consequences after disaster, early attention to survivors with pre-existing psychological problems, and to those survivors who are forced to relocate or are exposed to many stressors during the disaster, appears appropriate.

Language: en