[Post-traumatic stress disorder. After the flood in Saguenay].
OBJECTIVE
To measure the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder and emotional distress among victims of the Saguenay flood compared with those who were not affected by the flood.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study using a telephone survey of victims and a control group.


METHODS
Chicoutimi, Que.


METHODS
Sixty-two adults in a flooded area and a control group of 79 volunteers chosen randomly from an adjacent area.


METHODS
Diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder measured using the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index and high scores on the Self-Reporting Questionnaire on emotional distress.


RESULTS
Socially and demographically, study group and control group were comparable. Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder in the study group was close to 20% (odds ratio [OR] 6.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.63 to 22.64). Prevalence of emotional distress in the study group was 29% (OR 2.42; 95% CI 1.04 to 5.61).


CONCLUSIONS
The Saguenay flood caused psychological distress that was measurable 4 months later. Health care professionals should be aware of the psychological effects of natural disasters.
Auger
C
C
Université de Sherbrooke.
Latour
S
S
Trudel
M
M
Fortin
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009790:Occupations; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011792:Quebec; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology