Psychological consequences of a firework factory disaster in a local community.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological consequences of an explosion disaster in a residential area in Kolding, Denmark, in November 2004.


METHODS
A community sample of 516 evacuated adults and a control group of 119 residents situated near the disaster area, but not affected by the explosion were assessed 3 months after the disaster by standardized instruments.


RESULTS
Of the evacuated sample, 13% met DSM-IV criteria for PTSD in contrast to 1% in the control group; 35% of the exposed sample and 7% of the control group were identified as 'probable cases' by the GHQ-30 (both p's < 0.0005).


CONCLUSIONS
The study provides evidence of the negative impact of a technological disaster on mental health and the need of preventive interventions.
Elklit
Ask
A
Dept. of Psychology, University of Aarhus, Jens Chr. Skous Vej 4, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark. aske@psy.au.dk
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005107:Explosions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires