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Category: Volume 05 Issue 08 August 2017
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Title: Post-Earthquake Psychiatric Morbidity

Authors: Rakesh Kumar, Abhay Kumar, Krishna Kumar Singh, Mrs. Ajeya Singh, Niska Sinha

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i8.15

Abstract

Background: Over the past few decades, the incidence and magnitude of natural disasters including earthquakes has grown significantly, resulting in substantial economic damages and affecting or killing millions of people. Earthquakes and their consequences present a major global public health problem. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a catastrophic earthquake and psychiatric morbidity.

Methods: Sample consists of 100 patients who were interviewed and ICD-10 was used to attain the diagnosis of various mental illnesses.

Results: Results demonstrated that post-earthquake increases the incidence of frequency and worry, fear about earthquake. Results showed that the occurrence of Post-Earthquake effect among mental illness was found higher in females (49%) than in males (41%). The predominant study population was between the age group of 21-30years (31%), Hindu religion (81%) and PTSD (39%).

Conclusion: These results indicate a need to develop an effective outreach strategy for dealing with post-earthquake effect among earthquake victims.

Key Word: Earthquake, Psychiatric Morbidity.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Niska Sinha

Senior Resident of Psychiatry, IGIMS, Patna, Bihar

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.