Mental health conditions among atomic bomb survivors in Nagasaki.
To elucidate the effects of the bombing on the atomic bomb survivors' mental health, a mental health survey was conducted using a 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and a mail survey on atomic bomb exposure conditions and lifestyle using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 3526 atomic bomb survivors in Nagasaki responded and a high GHQ-12 score, as defined when the responses to four or more items were positive, was observed in 296 (8.4%) subjects. It was indicated that the risk of a high GHQ-12 score will decrease 0.98-fold with every 1-year increase in age, and will increase 1.45-fold and 1.70-fold in those who lost family members due to the bombing and those who had acute symptoms, respectively, compared with those who did not. It was indicated that the atomic bomb exposure has affected survivors' mental health and that the care of their mental health is important.
Department of Radiation Epidemiology, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Sakamoto, Japan.
Sumihisa
S
Honda
Yoshisada
Y
Shibata
Mariko
M
Mine
Yoshihiro
Y
Imamura
Masuko
M
Tagawa
Yoshibumi
Y
Nakane
Masao
M
Tomonaga
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009689:Nuclear Warfare; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*