Prevalence and risk factors for anxiety among inhabitants in the Relief Centers after the 5·12 Sichuan earthquake / 中华流行病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors for anxiety among inhabitants in the relief centers one month after the 5·12 Sichuan earthquake and to formulate intervention strategies.Methods A total of 402 tent inhabitants aged ≥18 years were randomly sdected from 13 relief centers of 4 townships in Jiangyou city.Data were collected by Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and risk factor questionnaires.Results The prevalence of anxiety among inhabitants in the relief centers was 22.1%(95%CI18.2%-26.6%)(89/402).In single factor analysis,female,aged ≥40 years,family per-capita monthly income of ＜600 Yuan,education level of less than junior high school,inconvenient living conditions,history of chronic diseases,limited living space in tents,shortage of goods,and sex life being interrupted etc might increase anxiety.In multi-factor analysis,female (OR=2.921),inconvenient living conditions (OR=2.475),history of chronic diseases (OR=3.997),and limited living space in tents (OR=2.982) were the risk factors for anxiety.Conclusion Inhabitants in the relief centers exhibited higher prevalence of anxiety as compared with the general population.Measures to improve the living conditions of the relief centers,inehiding guarantee of water,electricity and material supply,sewage treatment,living space and privacy,and early psychological interventions were recommended for prevention and relief of anxiety.