EPA-0880 - Acute Stress Disorder Among Flood Victims in Saliyan Region of Azerbaijan Republic

Abstract

Flood that occured in Saliyan region of Azerbaijan Republic in 2011 was unexpected and unpredictable not only as a natural disaster itself, but also as indicative of the degree to which the population of Saliyan region was unprotected and helpless while facing this catastrophe.

Objectives:

To reveal victims of the flood, assess the degree to which they were affected and determine risk factors

Aims:

Comparative investigation of impact of various factors (such as age, sex, social-economic status and severity of stress) on the course and prognosis of Acute Stress Disorder.

Methods:

Sixty two victims of the flood (28 men and 34 women) participated in the study. Stanford Acute Stress Disorder Questionnaire was used to evaluate presence and severity of Acute Stress Disorder symptoms among participants.

Results:

Vast majority (74.2%) of the flood victims were diagnosed with Acute Stress Disorder. Such factors as age (over 40 years) and (low/very low) social status were determined to negatively affect the onset and the course of Acute Stress Disorder*. In contrary, gender, education and, the most interesting, severity of stress were found out to not determine the prognosis of Acute Stress Disorder**. This may indicate that main contributing factors is rather realization of one's future difficulties in the struggle for comfortable life after the disaster, than the disaster itself. Improvement of social services work systemand implementation of property state insurance was recommended.