title: Exposure to missile attacks: the impact of the Persian Gulf War on physical health behaviours and psychological distress in high and low risk areas in Israel.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare residents of an area (Tel-Aviv), which was severely afflicted by SCUD missiles during the Persian Gulf War (high risk region), to residents of a low-risk region (Jerusalem) in terms of: (a) changes in physical health, in use of medical or psychological services, and in health behaviours during the period of the war compared to the preceding month; (b) levels of psychological distress (somatization and anxiety) during the war; (c) characteristics of persons at highest risk for psychological distress. Respondents were randomly chosen and interviewed by telephone (N = 545 in Tel-Aviv, N = 406 in Jerusalem). The respondents in both regions reported significant yet similar deterioration in physical health status, and an increase in detrimental health behaviours during the Gulf War. Tel-Aviv residents had significantly higher levels of psychological distress as compared to residents of Jerusalem: in somatization 18 vs 12% respectively (OR = 2.44, CI = 1.39-4.28), in anxiety 34 vs 26% respectively (OR = 1.62, CI = 1.1-2.42). In addition to place of residence, age, ethnicity, religiosity and self-assessed health were identified as characteristics of persons at greater risk for psychological distress.
authors.affiliation: Department of social Medicine, Hadassah Medical Organization, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Soskolne
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baras
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Palti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Epstein
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012306:Risk; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014857:Warfare