A Study to Determine the Prevalence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Associated Triggering Factors among Disaster Affected People in Selected Area of Dehradun District, Uttarakhand, India

A cross - sectional exploratory survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of post traumatic stress disorder and associated triggering factors among disaster affected people in selected area of Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, India. Study done one year after the disaster. One hundred five affected people participated in the study by consecutive sampling. Data collection was done by interpersonal interviews using PCL – C version to assess the prevalence of PTSD and a socio demographic Performa. Subjects were classified into PTSD (greater than50 score) and non PTSD (≤50). Study shown that, among all the samples, 44 (42 %) were males, and 61 (58 %) were females. The prevalence of probable PTSD was found to be 26 %. Result shows that there were no statistically significant association between PTSD and some of the socio demographic variables like age, gender, occupational, educational status except marital status and family income of the sample and most associated triggering factor was found i. e. loss in disaster among PTSD affected sample. On the basis of present study, the researcher concluded that marital status and lower socioeconomic status are the main contributors of occurrence of PTSD among sample. Due to loss of house and material there is higher possibility of developing PTSD rather than loss of land among disaster affected people. The findings of the study highlight the need for conducting screening and awareness programs after any traumatic event to find out the stress disorders and other mental health problems and subsequently providing interventions to affected victims.