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

Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess the psychological status 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 respondents were asked about their experience of the disaster, how they perceive it. The main outcome measures were description of demographic factors, PTSD and their risk factors. Their mental health was assessed by using 17 items 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 same degree of PTSD.90.8% respondents were reported to have moderate PTSD level and 9.2% had severe PTSD level. Age, gender and education level did not have any correlation with PTSD development. The earnings lost and development of PTSD shows a positive and highly significant relation (p 0.015). The duration spent in the floods and how the affected person perceives the severity of flood had a positive correlation with PTSD development. Conclusion: The present findings indicates that any person who has witnessed a disastrous event like flood is at risk for development of PTSD the need to provide specialized post disaster mental health services to groups with significant levels of PTSD after a disaster of such high intensity.