Psychiatric morbidity pattern in patient after earthquake at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: A trauma is an event that is not within the normal range of the common experience. It is perceived as overwhelming physically and/or emotionally and may involve a perceived threat to the individual or a loved one. The basic aim of this study is to evaluate sociodemographic characteristic and pattern of psychiatric morbidity in patient attending at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital after earthquake.

Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on patients attending psychiatric OPD services of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, a tertiary care hospital, from April 2015 to mid Sep. 2015.

Results: Among 1057 cases who visited the outpatient services at Department of Psychiatry during first four and half months after major earthquake on 25 April 2015, 108 were directly related to earthquake The most commonly diagnosed conditions were F 41.9 Anxiety Disorder Unspecified (15.7%), F43.2 Adjustment disorder (13.9%). F 43.1 Post-traumatic stress disorder (8.3%) and Moderate depressive episode (7.4%). Two cases were referred with incidence of deliberate self harm.

Conclusion: This study has contributed in new knowledge regarding the psychological conditions aftermath of natural disasters in Nepal and also the need of research to determine the prevalence of post-disaster mental health conditions tike posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depressive disorders, resilience and factors associated with the impact of event among the survivors Keyword: Earthquake. PTSD, Psychiatric morbidity.