Association between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Preflood Behavioral Characteristics among Children Aged 7–15 Years in Hunan, China

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and preflood behavioral characteristics among children aged 7-15 years in Hunan, China. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 2000, a retrospective study was carried out among children who had been exposed to the 1998 floods in Hunan. A multistage sampling method was used to select subjects from the flood-affected areas. A structured questionnaire administered to the children selected was used to diagnose PTSD based on the DSM-IV criteria. A parent questionnaire was used to measure preflood behavioral characteristics related to health, behavioral, and habit problems. The association between PTSD and preflood behavioral characteristics was assessed using χ(2)-tests and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 7,038 children from 13,450 households, aged 7-15 years, were investigated. The overall prevalence of PTSD was 2.05%. Generally, the PTSD-positive rate increased with increasing scores for behavioral characteristics. CONCLUSION: Preflood behavioral characteristics are an important factor influencing the prevalence of PTSD among children exposed to floods. It is therefore necessary to give special attention to children with behavioral problems in order to reduce the psychological impact of floods.