Assesment of post traumatic stress and anxiety disorders after marmara earthquake in Sapanca [Marmara depreminden alti yil sonra Sapanca'da travma sonrasi stres ve anksiyete bozukluklarinin deǧerlendirilmesi]

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine symptoms of PTSD and anxiety disorders and evaluate related factors after six years from Marmara Earthquake in Sapanca. Method: This descriptive study was conducted in Sapanca at July-August 2005. The data of 62 participants were collected by a questionnaire which included questions about their sociodemografic characteristics and experiences in Marmara eathquake. Also Clinician Administered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale [CAPS] and Beck Anxiety Inventory were questioned. Findings: Only 24.2% of participants had PTSD, 64.5% had minimal-light anxiety and 25.8% had medium-severe anxiety. There was a statistically significant difference between education status and PTSD and anxiety status [p<0.05]. Both PTSD and anxiety scores were high at low educational status. PTSD and medium to severe anxiety were significantly high at the participants who saw earthquake at their dreams and changed their daily habits [p<0.05]. Seeing earthquake at dream was found related factor with PTSD and changing daily habits was found related factor with PTSD and anxiety in the multivariable analysis. Discussion and Conclusion: In this study we found that, the effects of the earthquake on mental health were still continuing after 6 years. This results show that mental problems related with eathquake continues long period after great disasters. For this reason, community community-based interventional mental health studies are important for promoting community mental health.