Adolescent vulnerability to PTSD and effects of community‐based intervention: Longitudinal study among adolescent survivors of the Ehime Maru sea accident

The aim of the present study was to examine the psychological impact on adolescent survivors of a maritime disaster that resulted in the deaths of nine people, including four high school students, and the effects of psychiatric intervention for the survivors. Methods: Long‐term multidimensional intervention consisting of psychoeducation, hospital treatment, family support and day care, was provided for nine adolescent survivors. To evaluate these effects, the survivors were also assessed using self‐rating scales (Impact of Event Scale, General Health Questionnaire and Self‐rating Depression Scale) and psychiatric structured interviews (Clinician‐Administered Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD] Scale) at 2, 8, 14, 26, and 38 months after the accident. Results: Prevalence of PTSD among adolescent survivors was much higher than in adult survivors at the 2‐month examination (78% vs 12%, respectively). Although the observed prevalence remained high until the 14‐month examination, remarkable improvement occurred thereafter and none was diagnosed with PTSD at the 38‐month examination. Conclusion: Adolescents may have a specific vulnerability to PTSD and community‐based intervention is effective for adolescents with serious symptoms of PTSD.     

汶川地震灾区儿童青少年心理健康状况调查及儿童版事件影响量表测量

目的 使用儿童版事件影响量表(The Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale,CRIES-13)评估地震灾区儿童青少年的心理健康状况,并对该量表进行心理测量学分析.方法 以1337名汶川地震重至极重灾区8～18岁儿童青少年作为被试[年龄(13.6±1.8)岁],在地震后1个月进行CRIES-13评估,2周后重测.对所获数据进行描述性分析、差异性分析、回归分析、因子分析等.结果 (1)CRIES-13总分、闯入因子、回避因子、高觉醒因子得分女性高于男性(z＝-6.95,-6.69,-3.80,-6.21,Ps=0.000);其中总分、闯入因子、高觉醒因子得分有随年龄增加而增加的趋势(χ~2=19.48,20.41,23.65,P_s=0.000);(2)女性、复课时间晚的儿童其CRIES-13总分异常的危险性越高(比值比=1.75、1.03,P_s=0.000);(3)CRIES-13的Cronbach's系数为0.81,重测信度0.79,具有良好的量表内部一致性及内容效度;(4)验证了CRIES-13的3个因子结构,因子结构稳定性较好.结论年龄、性别、复课时间早晚对灾后儿童青少年的心理健康状况存在影响.CRIES-13是良好的评估儿童青少年经历创伤性事件后应激反应程度的筛查工具.     

汶川地震转院伤员中八例气性坏疽诊治分析

目的 分析汶川地震中8例气性坏疽患者的临床特点及诊治方法.方法 收集8例确诊为气性坏疽患者的临床资料,分析其临床特点.给予多次外科清创、敏感抗生素、高压氧及营养支持等治疗.结果 本组多数患者具有无肢体捻发音,而X线、CT或B超等发现组织间有气体的特点.全部患者渗出液涂片发现梭状芽孢杆菌,细菌培养主要为产气荚膜杆菌.大多数患者为混合感染.另外,伤肢有大量坏死组织与渗出液,患者红细胞下降,白细胞和血小板升高等特点.经过积极综合治疗,无一例患者死亡或因为气性坏疽而截肢.结论 地震所致开放性损伤多发,且多为混合感染,气性坏疽为其主要的特殊感染之一.彻底外科清创、敏感抗生素治疗是气性坏疽的主要治疗方法.正规高压氧及营养支持治疗是重要且行之有效的辅助治疗方法.     

Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy for post-disaster distress in post-traumatic stress symptoms after Chilean earthquake and tsunami

Objective

This is the first time that the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy for post-disaster stress (CBT-PD) in symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been tested outside the United States of America.

The Professionalization of International Disaster Response: It Is Time for Midwives to Get Ready

Disasters and humanitarian emergencies due to natural or human origins result in severe and often prolonged suffering of the affected population. Midwives have a role to play in providing assistance because women and their infants experiencing such crises have unique vulnerabilities and needs. This article introduces midwives and other women's health care practitioners to international humanitarian emergency response efforts and describes preparation and training activities they can undertake to get ready to volunteer with an international health aid agency. Various clinical realities and challenges are discussed, including recommended priorities for providing reproductive health care in disaster zones. Common ethical dilemmas in crisis health care settings are also reviewed. By arriving in the field well prepared to participate and collaborate, midwives can make substantial contributions to the safety, health, and comfort of women and their families who have experienced a natural disaster, armed conflict, or disease epidemic.     

台风灾害救护技能培训实践与效果

目的探讨对护士实行台风灾害救护技能培训的内容及方法。方法对102名护士进行台风灾害救护技能培训,内容包括台风知识、台风灾害现场救护技能、心理危机干预;采用集中理论授课、急救技能培训和模拟演练的形式;比较培训前后护士对台风灾害知识、救护技能及心理危机干预的掌握情况,并调查护士对培训的满意度。结果培训后护士对台风灾害知识的认知、救护技能明显提高(P0.01),培训后护士心理危机干预认知的考核,除心理咨询外,其他项目差异均无统计学意义(P﹥0.05)。护士对本次培训的总体满意度为80.39%。结论通过培训能够提高护士对台风灾害的认识及台风灾害救护的能力,但应重视护士心理危机干预的培训并由有经验的专业人员担任培训任务。     

How robust are district health systems? Coping with crisis and disasters in Rutshuru,Democratic Republic of Congo

background Since the eighties, the North Kivu Province socio-economic environment has been deteriorating. This province also faced an influx of Rwandan refugees in July 1994. The objective of the paper is to show how a rural health district has been able to adjust and maintain its medical activities under unfavourable conditions. method Performances of the local health system were assessed through the analysis of routine medical data collected in the Rutshuru Health District (RHD) between 1985 and 1995. Specific data collected during the Rwandan refugee crisis measured the workload of RHD due to the refugees. results For 11 years, health infrastructures have remained accessible and functional in RHD. The curative utilization and preventive coverage rates increased. Obstetrical activities were intensified from a quantitative as well as from a qualitative point of view. Between July and October 1994, the RHD treated 65 000 cases of various pathological conditions in Rwandan refugees settled outside the camps. This corresponds to 9.3% of consultations for Rwandan refugees settled on RHD's territory and represents a 400% increase in the curative workload for the RHD health services. Human and financial resources remained at a very low level, especially when compared with those available in the camps through relief agencies. conclusion The RHD was severely affected by various stresses but its services managed to provide significant and efficient response to these crises. Health district systems may constitute an effective tool to provide health care under adverse conditions.     

Alcohol Use,Mental Health Status and Psychological Well-being 2 Years After the World Trade Center Attacks in New York City

Over the past 30 years, studies have shown that survivors of community-wide disasters suffer from a variety of physical and mental health problems. Researchers also have documented increased substance use in the aftermath of these disasters. In the present study, we examined the relationship between alcohol use and mental health status within the context of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City (NYC). The data for the present report come from a 2-wave panel study of adults living in NYC on the day of the attacks. Wave 1 (W1) and Wave 2 (W2) interviews occurred one year and two years after the attacks, respectively. Overall, 2,368 individuals completed the W1 survey (cooperation rate, 63%) and 1,681 completed the W2 survey (re-interview rate, 71%). The alcohol use variables examined were binge drinking, alcohol dependence, increased days drinking, and increased drinks per day. The outcomes examined included measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, BSI-18-Global Severity and measures of SF12-mental and physical health status. After controlling for demographic, stress, and resource factors, multivariate logistic regressions indicated that all alcohol measures were related to one or more of these outcomes. In particular, binge drinking was related to partial PTSD, while alcohol dependence was associated subsyndromal PTSD, severity of PTSD, depression, BSI-18 global severity, and SF-12 poor mental health status. Increased post-disaster drinking was positively associated with subsyndromal PTSD and negatively associated with SF-12 physical health. We discuss reasons for these results and the negative consequences that heavy alcohol use may have on the postdisaster recovery process.     

Screening for the psychological consequences of a major disaster in a developing country: Armero, Colombia

Seven months following the volcanic eruption that destroyed the small town of Armero, 200 victims were screened for emotional problems with the Self-Reporting Questionnaire, a simple and reliable instrument. Fifty-five percent of the victims were found to be emotionally distressed. Variables associated with the presence of emotional distress included living alone, having lost previous job, feeling not being helped, not knowing date for leaving temporary shelter, being dissatisfied with living arrangements, complaining of non-specific physical symptoms or epigastric pain, and presenting several physical problems. The high prevalence of emotional distress supports the need to deliver mental care to disaster victims in developing countries through the primary level of care. Our findings provide guidelines for early detection of individuals at risk for developing emotional problems.