We sought to gain insights on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, the risk and protective factors and the prevention and intervention programs of mental health problems among disaster workers. The prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among disaster workers was higher than that of the general population and lower than that of disaster survivors. They might suffer from various mental health problems and comorbid disorders. Those mental problems could affect not only their physical health but also self-medication, life satisfaction, and job functioning. Heterogeneous and various factors were positively and negatively associated with psychiatric problems. Prevention and intervention programs were summarized for PTSD among disaster workers. Self-help technique 'RESCUE' and cognitive behavior therapy, developed especially for disaster workers was introduced. Future research and directions were suggested.
Cognitive Therapy ; Disasters* ; Humans ; Mental Health* ; Prevalence ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; Survivors

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and Alvarado scores of schizophrenia with patients acute appendicitis presenting at the emergency department. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records and identified schizophrenia patients who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis between January 2000 to December 2009 and who presented at the emergency department in 6 University hospitals. Comparisons were made with non-schizophrenic patients with acute appendicitis. Data collected included the patient's age, sex, clinical features, time interval between onset of symptoms and visiting the hospital, Alvarado score, disease complications, and diagnostic imaging modality. RESULTS: We identified 27 schizophrenia patients with acute appendicitis. Mean age was 34.5+/-8.3; 51.9% were women. The median time from onset of symptoms to visiting the emergency department was 3.8+/-1.4 days in the schizophrenic group and 2.3+/-2.1 in the normal control group. The mean Alvarado scores were 5.4+/-1.5 for the schizophrenic group and 6.5+/-2.1 for controls. Perforation of the appendix and formation of abscesses was higher in schizophrenic patients with appendicitis. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that acute appendicitis is diagnosed late and with difficulty in schizophrenic patients and these patients may be the most vulnerable to failure to obtain timely surgical care. Early and careful access is recommended in suspected cases of appendicitis in schizophrenia patients.
Abscess ; Appendicitis ; Appendix ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Schizophrenia

No Abstract available.
Heart Septal Defects, Atrial* ; Parturition*