Prevalence and psychosocial risk factors of PTSD: 18months after Kashmir earthquake in Pakistan

Method The study was conducted 18 months after the earthquake. We selected a sample of men and women living in the houses and tents for interviews. Using well established instruments for PTSD and general psychiatric morbidity we gathered information from over 1200 people in face to face interviews. We gathered information about trauma exposure and loss as well. Results 55.2% women and 33.4% men suffered from PTSD. Living in a joint family was protective against the symptoms of PTSD. Dose of exposure to trauma was associated with the symptoms of PTSD. Living in a tent was associated with general psychiatric morbidity but not with PTSD. Limitations We used questionnaire instead of interviews to detect the symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Conclusions The symptoms of PTSD are common 18 months after the earthquake and they are specifically associated with the dose of trauma exposure. This may have implications for rehabilitation of this population. Keywords Earthquake PTSD Psychiatric morbidity Developing country Psychological trauma