Psychological morbidity in adult survivors of the 2016 landslide in Aranayaka

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: A large landslide affected Aranayaka in the Kegalle District in Sri Lanka in May2016 leaving many residents dead or injured and the survivors displaced in temporary camps. This study assessed the prevalence of psychological morbidity one year after this incident. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among adult survivors in the relief camps. The number of individuals selected from each site was determined applying probability proportionate to the size technique to achieve a sample size of 405. A self-administered questionnaire, consisting of socio demographic details, the extent of the trauma and the psychological support received and a Sinhala version of the K-10 and PSSR-17 questionnaires were administered after informed consent. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression and moderate or severe PTSD were 22.5% and 19% respectively. Both depression and moderate or severe PTSD were present in 11.6%, and 29.9% had either depression or moderate/ severe PTSD. Lower educational level (P=0.03), single status (P=0.007), lower economic status (P<0.001) and past history of physical (P=0.044) and psychological (P=0.004) illnesses were associated with depression. Female gender (P=Or.026), single status (P=0.028), lower economic status (P=0.000), Tamil ethnicity (P=0.007) and chronic physical illness (P=0.002) were associated with PTSD. Depression and PTSD were also related to exposure to traumatic events (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Nearly a third of those affected by the disaster had depression or PTSD a year after the event. Those of a lower income and education, females, single, widowed or divorced and those with a history of physical illness or past history of psychological issues were at higher risk.