Contingency Planning

Important CDC Findings Published on the Mental Health of People in Tsunami-Affected Areas in Southern Thailand

June 4, 2007

June 4, 2007 -- Two Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-led studies were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association dealing with the effects of the December 2004 South Asia tsunami on people in affected areas of Southern Thailand. These studies make important contributions to the field of post-disaster epidemiology and intervention. The findings of these two studies, which are summarized below, will help CDC better direct, strengthen, and evaluate mental health needs and interventions when responding to future disasters.

Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression Among Children in Tsunami-Affected Areas in Southern Thailand

Approximately 20,000 children were directly affected by the tsunami that struck the six southwestern provinces of Thailand on Dec. 26, 2004. To assess the prevalence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among children in these areas, the authors of this study conducted a survey of 371 children aged 7 to 14 years two months after the tsunami. A follow-up survey was conducted nine months after the tsunami.

The surveys found that traumatic events experienced during the tsunami were significantly associated with symptoms of PTSD and depression. Children from affected villages were more than twice as likely to report PTSD symptoms as were children from unaffected villages. In addition, the rates of these symptoms had not decreased significantly nine months after the tsunami. Mental Health Problems Among Adults in Tsunami-Affected Areas in Southern Thailand To assess the prevalence of symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression among adults in tsunami-affected areas, the authors of this study conducted an initial survey two months after the tsunami and a follow-up survey nine months after the tsunami.

Elevated rates of symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression were reported two months after the disaster, with higher rates for anxiety and depression than PTSD symptoms. Nine months after the disaster, the rates of those reporting these symptoms decreased but were still elevated.

? CDC