Author/Authors :
Peng, Minning Central South University - School of Public Health - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, China , Liu, Aizhong Central South University - School of Public Health - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, China , Zhou, Jia Central South University - School of Public Health - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, China , Wen, Shiwu Central South University - School of Public Health - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, China , Wen, Shiwu University of Ottawa - Faculty of Medicine - Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Canada , Li, Shuoqi Central South University - School of Public Health - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, China , Yang, Tubao Central South University - School of Public Health - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, China , Li, Xingli Central South University - School of Public Health - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, China , Huang, Xin Central South University - School of Public Health - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, China , Abuaku, Benjamin Central South University - School of Public Health - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, China , Tan, Hongzhuan Central South University - School of Public Health - Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, China
Abstract :
Objective: To explore the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and preflood behavioral characteristics among children aged 7–15 years in Hunan, China. Subjects and Methods: In 2000, a retrospective study was carried out among children who had been exposed to the 1998 floods in Hunan. A multistage sampling method was used to select subjects from the flood-affected areas. A structured questionnaire administered to the children selected was used to diagnose PTSD based on the DSM-IV criteria. A parent questionnaire was used to measure preflood behavioral characteristics related to health, behavioral, and habit problems. The association between PTSD and preflood behavioral characteristics was assessed using χ2-tests and multivariate logistic regression. Results: A total of 7,038 children from 13,450 households, aged 7–15 years, were investigated. The overall prevalence of PTSD was 2.05%. Generally, the PTSD-positive rate increased with increasing scores for behavioral characteristics. Conclusion: Preflood behavioral characteristics are an important factor influencing the prevalence of PTSD among children exposed to floods. It is therefore necessary to give special attention to children with behavioral problems in order to reduce the psychological impact of floods.
