Three years after Typhoon Ondoy until Habagat rains: Prevalence of acute stress disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder among residents of Barangay Tumana, Marikina: A cross-sectional analytical study

ABSTRACT

@#<p style="text-align justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Acute Stress Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among residents of Barangay Tumana, Marikina exposed to Typhoon Ondoy in September 2009 and Habagat rains in August 2012.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>METHODOLOGY:</strong> The Acute Stress Disorder Scale (ASDS) and Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IESR) were administered to 212 subjects. Trauma history was also obtained. When screened positive for Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and/or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a confirmatory diagnosis was done through psychiatric clinical interview.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> The study showed a prevalence rate of 10% for ASD and 5% for PTSD. Co-morbid ASD and PTSD were seen in 4% of the subjects. Frequency and type of prior traumatic events were not significantly different among subjects who were positive or negative for ASD/PTSD diagnoses.</p><p style="text-align justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> There was a significant prevalence of ASD/PTSD diagnoses among residents exposed to Typhoon Ondoy and Habagat, thus the need for developing a means of early detection and immediate therapeutic intervention in Filipino communities exposed to natural disasters.</p>