title: Prevalence and risk factors for depressive reaction among resident survivors after the tsunami following the Great East Japan Earthquake, March 11, 2011.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Great East Japan Earthquake caused a gigantic tsunami which devastated coastal areas of northern Japan on 11 March 2011. Despite the large number of 'resident survivors' who continued to reside in their damaged houses on the second or upper floors, research on the mental health of these individuals has been limited. This study explored the prevalence of depressive reaction and risk factors for depressive reaction among these resident survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional household health support needs screening was conducted for resident survivors in Higashi-Matsushima city, Miyagi prefecture, two to four months after the tsunami. The health interview that was conducted including mental status, assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 5,454 respondents, 8.1% had depressive reaction. After adjustment by the number of weeks from the tsunami and the mortality rate at each respondent's place of residence, depressive reaction was significantly associated with house flooding below or above the ground floor (odds ratios of 1.92, 2.36, respectively), the unavailability of gas supply (odds ratio, 1.67), being female (odds ratio, 1.47), middle aged or elderly (odds ratios of 2.41, 2.42, respectively), regular intake of psychotropic medicine(s) since before the tsunami (odds ratio, 2.53) and the presence of one to five or more than six cohabiters (odds ratios of 0.61, 0.52, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest a considerable psychological burden (depressive reaction) following the tsunami among resident survivors. Special supports for families with psychiatric problems need to be considered among resident survivors. Restoration of lifeline utilities and the strengthening of social ties of persons living alone may help prevent depressive reaction among resident survivors after a tsunami.
authors.affiliation: Bureau of International Medical Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Chieko
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Matsubara
authors.affiliation: Bureau of International Medical Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hitoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Koubun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Imai
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mizoue
authors.affiliation: Bureau of International Medical Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hidechika
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akashi
authors.affiliation: Bureau of International Medical Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Chiaki
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miyoshi
authors.affiliation: Bureau of International Medical Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Tamotsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakasa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D064891:Disaster Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D004190:Disasters; D055866:Earthquakes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D057192:Tsunamis