Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among the Flood Affected Population in Indian Subcontinent

Authors

  • Mohammad Asim Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
  • Ahammed Mekkodathil Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
  • Brijesh Sathian Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
  • Rajesh Elayedath Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India
  • Rajeev Kumar N Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India
  • Padam Simkhada Liverpool John Moores University, UK
  • Edwin van Teijlingen Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/nje.v9i1.24003

Keywords:

mental health illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, India, flood

Abstract

Globally, frequent flooding causes higher magnitude of disaster among the developing and developed nations. Particularly, the Indian subcontinent is considered as highly vulnerable area for natural disaster and is affected most because of limited resources and coping strategies for post-disaster rehabilitation. Apart from the great impact on human health, floods have considerable impact on mental health. The most frequently diagnosed psychological illness in flood affected population is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In India, the incidence of PTSD in major natural disasters varies considerably depending upon the magnitude of event, with the highest rates reported of around 70%. Studies conducted during initial few months post-disaster, showed a higher occurrence of psychiatric manifestations. On the other hand, some reports suggested contrary results under similar circumstances. Notably, extreme age (children and elderly), female gender, socioeconomic status, pre-existing mental health issues and financial crisis post-disaster are the potential predisposing factors influencing the vulnerability of PTSD. In Indian context, the variability in the magnitude of psychiatric illness is mainly attributed to the ethnic diversity (vulnerable population), severity and type of flood event and social support. Still there is more to explore regarding the long-term sequelae of catastrophic floods on physical and mental trauma on disaster-affected populations.

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Author Biographies

Mohammad Asim, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar

Academic Research Associate, Clinical Research, Trauma and Vascular Surgery, Surgery Department

Ahammed Mekkodathil, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar

Injury prevention coordinator, Clinical Research, Trauma and Vascular Surgery, Surgery Department

Brijesh Sathian, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar

Academic Research Associate, Clinical Research, Trauma and Vascular Surgery, Surgery Department

Rajesh Elayedath, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India

Assistant Professor, School of Behavioural Sciences

Rajeev Kumar N, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India

Director & Associate Professor, School of Behavioural Sciences

Padam Simkhada, Liverpool John Moores University, UK

Associate Dean for the Faculty of Education Health and Community, Professor of International Public Health

 

Edwin van Teijlingen, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK

Professor, Centre for Midwifery, Maternal and Perinatal Health

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Published

2019-03-31

How to Cite

Asim, M., Mekkodathil, A., Sathian, B., Elayedath, R., N, R. K., Simkhada, P., & van Teijlingen, E. (2019). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among the Flood Affected Population in Indian Subcontinent. Nepal Journal of Epidemiology, 9(1), 755–758. https://doi.org/10.3126/nje.v9i1.24003

Issue

Section

Short Communications