Psychiatric disorders in children at two year after the tsunami disaster in Thailand
- Author:
Vinadda Piyasil
;
Panom Ketumarn
;
Ratnotai Plubrukarn
;
Vajiraporn Jotipanut
;
Somsong Tanprasert
;
Sumitra Aowjinda
;
Somchit Thaeeromanophap
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
tsunami, disaster, post-traumatic stress disorder, Thailand
- From:ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry
2008;9(1):20-24
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: Psychiatric disorders caused by the tsunami disaster were investigated during two
years after the event. Psychiatric diagnosis and management were evaluated at one and two
years after the disaster. Methods: One thousand three hundreds and sixty four students from 2
schools were enrolled. Three tests were used according to the students’ grades. Those
included pediatric symptoms checklist, Childhood Depressive Inventory and the Revised
Child Impact of Events scale (CRIES). DSM-IV psychiatric disorders were diagnosed by
child and adolescent psychiatrists. Results: Psychiatric disorders were found in 142 students
(10.4%) at one year after the tsunami disaster. Of these, ninety students (6.3%) did develop
psychiatric disorders after the event. At two years after the disaster, psychiatric disorders were
found in 22 students (1.6%). The most common psychiatric problem was post traumatic stress
disorder. One per cent of grade 4-6 students and 0.3% of grade 7-9 students had psychiatric
disorders. The prevalence was lower in kindergarten (0.1%) and in grade 1-3 students (0.1%).
Conclusion: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders declined from 10.4% at one year after the
event to 1.6% at two years after the event. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in grade 4-
6 and 7-9 students was higher than that in kindergarten and grade 1-3 students. The most
common psychiatric problem is post-traumatic stress disorder.