A One-year Cohort Study in Mental Health Problems of the Flooding Victims in Uttaradit, 2005.

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assist long term mental health (one year) of the flood victims in Uttaradit and to study the incidence of mental health problems during the crisis.
Methods: This study was conducted by reviewing literature and discussing with the experts on how to support the design and planning of the Health Unit for assistingflooding victims who experienced mudslides in Uttaradit Province on May 23, 2005.
Areas that were directly affected by the flooding and voluntarily participated were Muang district, Lap Lae district, and TahPla district. The four stages in a 3-month follow up were: 1st was the stage of assistance, 2nd to 4th were stages of follow-up only for the participants at risk of mental health problems and illness by collecting data about physical and mental health problems and providing assistance.
Results: By monitoring patients who were affected by the flooding in the three areas of Uttaradit for one year, the study found that the prevalence of psychotic disorders and psychiatric problems had declined. For example, PTSD patients had declined from 6.61% to 1.00%; risk of suicide from 0.11% to 0%; alcoholics from 7.17% to 0% while other mental health problems declined from 9.08% to 1.91%.
Summary: Mental health recovery of the flood victims remains strong. The prevalence of psychological problems and disorders has declined. However, participants with psychological problems and psychiatric disorders are still being tracked.