Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-m8qmq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T01:57:14.034Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Comparative Study of Psychiatric Morbidity among the Displaced and Non-Displaced Populations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands following the Tsunami

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Suresh Bada Math ,
John P. John ,
Satish Chandra Girimaji ,
Vivek Benegal ,
Biju Sunny ,
K. Krishnakanth ,
Uday Kumar GS ,
Ameer Hamza ,
Shweta Tandon  and
Kavitha Jangam
...Show all authors
Suresh Bada Math*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, (Deemed University), Bangalore, India
John P. John
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, (Deemed University), Bangalore, India
Satish Chandra Girimaji
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, (Deemed University), Bangalore, India
Vivek Benegal
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, (Deemed University), Bangalore, India
Biju Sunny
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, (Deemed University), Bangalore, India
K. Krishnakanth
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, (Deemed University), Bangalore, India
Uday Kumar GS
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, (Deemed University), Bangalore, India
Ameer Hamza
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, (Deemed University), Bangalore, India
Shweta Tandon
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, (Deemed University), Bangalore, India
Kavitha Jangam
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, (Deemed University), Bangalore, India
K.S. Meena
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, (Deemed University), Bangalore, India
Biju Chandramukhi
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatric Social Work, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, (Deemed University), Bangalore, India
D. Nagaraja
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, (Deemed University), Bangalore, India
*
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Department of Psychiatry National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, (Deemed University) Bangalore, 560 029 India E-mail: nimhans@gmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

The objective of this study was to compare the psychiatric morbidity between the displaced and non-displaced populations of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during the first three months following the 2004 earthquake and tsunami.

Methods:

The study was conducted at the 74 relief camps in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Port Blair had 12 camps, which provided shelter to 4,684 displaced survivors. There were 62 camps on Car-Nicobar Island, which provided shelter to approximately 8,100 survivors who continued to stay in their habitat (non-displaced population). The study sample included all of the survivors who sought mental health assistance inside the camp. A psychiatrist diagnosed the patients using the ICD-10 criteria.

Results:

Psychiatric morbidity was 5.2% in the displaced population and 2.8% in the non-displaced population. The overall psychiatric morbidity was 3.7%. The displaced survivors had significantly higher psychiatric morbidity than did the non-displaced population.The disorders included panic disorder, anxiety disorders not otherwise specified, and somatic complaints. The existence of an adjustment disorder was significantly higher in the non-displaced survivors. Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were distributed equally in both groups.

Conclusions:

Psychiatric morbidity was found to be highest in the displaced population. However, the incidence of depression and PTSD were distributed equally in both groups. Involvement of community leaders and survivors in shared decision-making processes and culturally acceptable interventions improved the community participation. Cohesive community, family systems, social support, altruistic behavior of the community leaders, and religious faith and spirituality were factors that helped survivors cope during the early phase of the disaster.

Keywords

developing countriesdisasterearthquakehigh-risk populationmental health
Type
Research Article
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 23 , Issue 1 , February 2008 , pp. 29 - 34
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Kinston, W, Rosser, R: Disaster: Effect on medical and physical state. J Psychosom Res 1974;18:437–456.10.1016/0022-3999(74)90035-XCrossRefGoogle Scholar
2. Norris, F: Epidemiology of trauma: Frequency and impact of different poten-tially traumatic events on different demographic groups. J Consult Clin Psychol 1992;60:409–418.10.1037/0022-006X.60.3.409CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Davidson, JRT, McFarlane, AC: The extent and impact of mental health problems after disaster. J Clin Psychiatry 2006;67(suppl 2):9–14.Google ScholarPubMed
4. Carol, SN: Psychiatric Epidemiology of Disaster Responses. In: RJ, Ursano and Norwood, AE (eds.): Trauma and Disaster, Responses and Management, Review of Psychiatry Series, Vol 22(1), 2003. Arlington: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc, pp 35–62.Google Scholar
5. World Health Organization: Psychosocial consequences of disaster—Prevention and management. WHO.MNH/PSF/91.3 Rev.1, 1992.WHO: Geneva.Google Scholar
6. Brewin, CR, Andrews, B, Valentine, JD: Meta-analysis of risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder in trauma exposed adults. J Consult Clin Psychol 2000;68:748–766.10.1037/0022-006X.68.5.748CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7. Carlier, I, Gerson, B: Stress reactions in disaster victims following the Bijlmermeer plane crash. J Traumatic Stress 1997;10:329–335.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8. Johnes, M: Aberfan and the management of trauma. Disasters 2000;24:1–17.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9. North, CS, Smith, EM, McCool, RE, et al. : Acute post-disaster coping and adjustment. Journal of Traumatic Stress 1989;2:353–360.10.1002/jts.2490020309CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10. Morrow, BH: Identifying and mapping community vulnerability. Disaster 1999;23:1–18.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11. Hutton, D, Haque, CE: Human vulnerability, dislocation and resettlement: Adaptation process of riverbank erosion-induced displacees in Bangladesh. Disaster 2004;28:41–62.Google Scholar
12. Regehr, C, Hemsworth, D, Hill, J: Individual predictors of posttraumatic distress: A structural equation model. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 2001;46:156–161.10.1177/070674370104600207CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13. Norris, F, Friedman, M, Watson, P, et al. : 60,000 disaster victims speak, Part I: An empirical review of the empirical literature, 1981–2001. Psychiatry 2002;65:207–239.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14. Palinkas, LA, Downs, MA, Petterson, JS, Russell, J: Social, cultural, and psy-chological impacts of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Hum Organ 1993;52:1–13.10.17730/humo.52.1.162688w475154m34CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15. Kessler, RC Sonnega, A, Bromet, E, et al. : Posttraumatic stress disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1995;52:1048–1060.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16. North, CS, Nixon, SJ, Shariat, S, et al. : Psychiatric disorders among survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing. JAMA 1999;282:755–762.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17. Basoglu, M, Salcioglu, E, Livanou, M: Traumatic stress responses in earth-quake survivors in Turkey. J Trauma Stress 2002;15:269–276.Google Scholar
18. Breslau, N, Davis, GC: Posttraumatic stress disorder in an urban population of young adults: Risk factors for chronicity. Am J Psychiatry 1992;149:671–675.Google Scholar
19. Foa, EB, Stein, DJ, Mc Farlane, AC: Symptomatology and psychopathology of mental health problems after disaster. J Clin Psychiatry 2006;67(suppl 2):15–25.Google ScholarPubMed
20. Creamer, M, Burgess, PM, Mc Farlane, AC: Posttraumatic stress disorder: Findings from Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Psychol Med 2001;31:1237–1247.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21. Almedon, AM, Summerfield, D: Mental well-being in settings of ‘complex emergency’: An overview. J Biosoc Sci 2004;36:381–388.10.1017/S0021932004006832CrossRefGoogle Scholar
22. Summerfield, D: A critique of seven assumptions behind psychological trau-ma programmes in war-affected areas. Soc Sci Med 1999;48:1449–1462.10.1016/S0277-9536(98)00450-XCrossRefGoogle Scholar
23. Norris, FH, Algeria, M: Mental health care for ethnic minority individuals and communities in the aftermath of disasters and mass violence. CNS Spectr 2005;10(2):132–140.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24. Snowden, LR: Bias in mental health assessment and intervention: Theory and evidence. Am J Public Health 2003;93(2): 239–243.10.2105/AJPH.93.2.239CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25. Jaycox, LH, Marshall, GN, Schell, T: Use of mental health services by men injured through community violence. Psychiatr Serv 2004;55:415–420.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26. Perilla, J, Norris, F, Lavizzo, E: Ethnicity, culture, and disaster response identi- fying and explaining ethnic differences in post-traumatic stress disorder six months after Hurricane Andrew. J Soc Clin Psychol 2002;21:28–45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
27. The Sphere Project: Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response. Oxford: Oxfam Publishing, 2000.Google Scholar
28. Thiel de Bocanegra, H, Brickman, E: Mental health impact of the World Trade Center attacks on displaced Chinese workers. J Trauma Stress 2004;17:55–62.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
29. Galea, S, Ahern, J, Resnick, H, et al. : Psychological sequelae of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City. N Engl J Med 2002;346:982–987.10.1056/NEJMsa013404CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
30. Schuster, MA, Stein, BD, Jaycox, L, et al. : A national survey of stress reactions after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. N Engl J Med 2001;345:1507–1512.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
31. Norris, FH, Alegría, M: Promoting Disaster Recovery in Ethnic-Minority Individuals and Communities. In: EC, Ritchie, Watson, PJ, Friedman, MJ (eds): Interventions following Mass Violence and Disasters: Strategies for Mental Health Practices. New York: Guilford Press; 2006, pp 319–343.Google Scholar
32. Watson, PJ, Friedman, MJ, Gibson, LE, et al. : Early Intervention for Trauma-Related Problems. In Ursano, RJ, Norwood, AE (eds.): Trauma and Disaster, Responses and Management, Review of Psychiatry Series. Arlington: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc., 2003, Vol 22(1), pp 97–124.Google Scholar
33. Young, BH, Ford, JD, Ruzek, JI, et al. : Disaster Mental Health Services: A Guide for Clinicians and Administrators. Palo Alto, California: National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, 1998.Google Scholar
34. Van Griensven, F, Chakkraband, MLS, Thienkrua, W, et al. : Mental health problems among adults in tsunami-affected areas in southern Thailand. JAMA 2006;296(5):537–548.10.1001/jama.296.5.537CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
35. Thienkrua, W, Cardozo, BL, Chakkraband, MLS, et al. : Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression among children in tsunami-affected areas in southern Thailand. JAMA 2006;296(5):549–559.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
36. Putnam, RD: Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2000.Google Scholar
37. Giddens, A: Emile Durkheim: Selected Writings. London: Cambridge University Press, 1972.Google Scholar
38. Fullilove, MT: Psychiatric implications of displacement: Contributions from the psychology of place. Am J Psychiatry 1996;153:1516–1523.Google Scholar
39. Ursano, RJ, Fullerton, CS, Norwood, AE: Psychiatric dimensions of disaster: Patient care, community consultation, and preventive medicine. Harv Rev Psychiatry 1995;3(4):196–209.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
40. Chandrashekar, CR, Math, SB: Psychosomatic disorders in developing countries: Current issues and future challenges. Curr Opin Psychiatry 2006;19:201–206.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
41. Somasundaram, DJ, Van De Put, WACM: Management of trauma in special population after a disaster. J Clin Psychiatry 2006;67(suppl 2):64–73.Google ScholarPubMed
42. Vogt, WP: Dictionary of Statistics and Methodology: A Nontechnical Guide for the Social Sciences. London: Sage, 1999.Google Scholar
43. World Health Organization: ICD-10 Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1992.Google Scholar
44. Erikson, K: Everything in its Path. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1976.Google Scholar
45. Bolin, R: Natural Disasters. In: Gist, L R, Lubin, B (eds.): Psychological Aspects of Disaster. New York: Wiley, 1989, pp 61–85.Google Scholar
46. Math, SB, Girimaji, SC, Benegal, V, et al. : Tsunami: Psychosocial aspects of Andaman and Nicobar islands. Assessments and intervention in the early phase. International Review of Psychiatry 2006;18(3):233–239.10.1080/09540260600656001CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
47. Fallot, RD, Heckman, JP: Religious/spiritual coping among women trauma survivors with mental health and substance use disorders. J Behav Health Serv Res 2005;32:215–226.10.1007/BF02287268CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
48. Ano, GG, Vasconcelles, EB: Religious coping and psychological adjustment to stress: A meta-analysis. J Clin Psychol 2005;61:461–480.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
49. Carballo, M, Heal, B, Hernandez, M: Psychosocial aspects of the Tsunami. J R Soc Med 2005;98:396–399.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed