Erschienen in:
01.08.2007 | ORIGINAL PAPER
Psychological consequences of a firework factory disaster in a local community
verfasst von:
Dr. Ask Elklit
Erschienen in:
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
|
Ausgabe 8/2007
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Abstract
Objective
This study assessed the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological consequences of an explosion disaster in a residential area in Kolding, Denmark, in November 2004.
Method
A community sample of 516 evacuated adults and a control group of 119 residents situated near the disaster area, but not affected by the explosion were assessed 3 months after the disaster by standardized instruments.
Results
Of the evacuated sample, 13% met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD in contrast to 1% in the control group; 35% of the exposed sample and 7% of the control group were identified as ‘probable cases’ by the GHQ-30 (both p’s < 0.0005).
Conclusion
The study provides evidence of the negative impact of a technological disaster on mental health and the need of preventive interventions.