[An investigation of post-traumatic responses and related factors following the "88 Flood" disaster].

BACKGROUND

In 2009, torrential rains on August 8th caused exceptionally destructive flooding, which soon became known as the "88 Flood". Kaohsiung and Pingtung Counties experienced major landslides that left many victims to deal with the aftereffects of physical, psychological and financial loss.

PURPOSE

This study was designed to understand the post-traumatic response of 88 Flood disaster victims and related factors.

METHODS

Using convenience sampling, we employed an "impact event of scale" to collect post-traumatic response data from 424 victims resident in Liouguei Township, Kaohsiung County from August 27th to September 17th, 2009.

RESULTS

The average post-traumatic response score was 29.9. Two-thirds (67.9%) of victims still displayed severe post-traumatic response after the flood disaster. The most frequently seen post-traumatic response in this study was "I think about it (the flood) when I do not intend to", and the least frequently was "My feelings about it (the flood) are kind of numb". Risk factors for relatively high post-traumatic response were: relative proximity in time to the date of the flood, married, illiterate, farmer, and low economic status. CONCLUSIONS / IMPLICATIONS: The results of this study may help medical staff identify post-traumatic response at a relatively early stage in order to provide victims of physical and psychological trauma to alleviate post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.