Status of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Its Associated Factors among Secondary School Students after Fifteen Months of Earthquake in Bhaktapur District, Nepal

Background: PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, natural disaster, accident, or sexual assault. Though several recent studies have focused on PTSD, its status and associated factors among secondary school students followed by huge natural disasters is not available. This study was conducted with the purpose of assessing those factors among secondary school students after fifteen months of a huge earthquake.

Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among secondary school students. A total of 289 students were purposively selected from local government school which is located among districts most by affected earthquakes. Structured questionnaires were used to collect socio-demographic and earthquake exposure information. PTSD Checklist Civilian Version (PCL-C) was used to measure PTSD and its severity.

Results: Study found that 56% students have been suffered from PTSD after the earthquake. Among the students who have diagnosed as PTSD positive, most of them (71%) were mildly affected, 26% were moderately affected and only 3% were severely affected. This study also found significant association of PTSD with parent’s education level, the parent’s occupation, amount of property loss, monthly family income and status of health services received.

Conclusion: Our study found those who have lost their house or property, less educated, farmer in occupation, lost their family members during earthquake were more vulnerable of suffering from PTSD after earthquake. Effective interventions such as educational, behavioral and psychological counseling, extra-curricular activities with awareness program may reduce the development of PTSD after disaster among school students.