Medium-term health of seniors following exposure to a natural disaster

The article aims to describe the medium-term impacts of a major earthquake event (Chile, February 27, 2010) on 26 seniors. The authors adopted a qualitative study approach. Data obtained using the Impact of Event Scale–Revised (IES-R) show the presence of manifestations of posttraumatic stress in the majority of respondents. In addition, data collected in interviews demonstrated a progressive deterioration of the health of respondents over a period of 4 years following the disaster. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to the effects of material loss, emotional stress, and postdisaster health complications. These impacts are exacerbated by low economic status. Furthermore, broader research is necessary involving elderly living in poverty who have survived natural disasters and others without such experiences, in order to better identify and differentiate between health complications associated with exposure to disaster events and those linked more strictly with natural aging processes

Conflict in the Indian Kashmir Valley II: psychosocial impact

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: India and Pakistan have disputed ownership of the Kashmir Valley region for many years, resulting in high level of exposure to violence among the civilian population of Kashmir (India). A survey was done as part of routine programme evaluation to assess confrontation with violence and its consequences on mental health, health service usage, and socio-economic functioning. METHODS: We undertook a two-stage cluster household survey in two districts of Kashmir (India) using questionnaires adapted from other conflict areas. Analysis was stratified for gender. RESULTS: Over one-third of respondents (n=510) were found to have symptoms of psychological distress (33.3%, CI: 28.3-38.4); women scored significantly higher (OR 2.5; CI: 1.7-3.6). A third of respondents had contemplated suicide (33.3%, CI: 28.3-38.4). Feelings of insecurity were associated with higher levels of psychological distress for both genders (males: OR 2.4, CI: 1.3-4.4; females: OR 1.9, CI: 1.1-3.3). Among males, violation of modesty, (OR 3.3, CI: 1.6-6.8), forced displacement, (OR 3.5, CI: 1.7-7.1), and physical disability resulting from violence (OR 2.7, CI: 1.2-5.9) were associated with greater levels of psychological distress; for women, risk factors for psychological distress included dependency on others for daily living (OR 2.4, CI: 1.3-4.8), the witnessing of killing (OR 1.9, CI: 1.1-3.4), and torture (OR 2.1, CI: 1.2-3.7). Self-rated poor health (male: OR 4.4, CI: 2.4-8.1; female: OR 3.4, CI: 2.0-5.8) and being unable to work (male: OR 6.7, CI: 3.5-13.0; female: OR 2.6, CI: 1.5-4.4) were associated with mental distress. CONCLUSIONS: The ongoing conflict exacts a huge toll on the communities' mental well-being. We found high levels of psychological distress that impacts on daily life and places a burden on the health system. Ongoing feelings of personal vulnerability (not feeling safe) were associated with high levels of psychological distress. Community mental health programmes should be considered as a way reduce the pressure on the health system and improve socio-economic functioning of those suffering from mental health problems

Socio-demographic profile and psychiatric comorbidity in patients with a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder – A study from Kashmir Valley

Objective: Kashmir valley has witnessed an armed conflict from last three decades, with one of the studies suggesting the prevalence of trauma exposure of 58.69% in the general population and 15.9% prevalence of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current study was undertaken to explore the socio demographic profile and psychiatric comorbidity in treatment seeking PTSD patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Government Psychiatric Diseases Hospital Srinagar, Kashmir from January 2006 to January 2007. A total of 100 PTSD patients were interviewed and screened for psychiatric comorbidity using DSM-IV diagnostic criteria and their socio demographic details were recorded using a proforma. Results: Most of the patients in our study had multiple comorbidities. Apart from depression and anxiety disorders, somatisation and peri-traumatic dissociation was highly comorbid. Conclusion: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a complex diagnosis with commonly associated psychiatric comorbidity. The high comorbidity in our study sample could be due to repeated exposure to trauma, cultural expression of distress and the ongoing conflict situation which makes the recovery difficult. Recognizing the comorbidities early on may help to achieve an optimal treatment outcome. Finally, the lack of appropriate service provision results in increased morbidity and probable chronicity of the symptoms

ڈاکٹر سہیل بخاری کی تاریخ ولادت کا تعین

There are many theories on the origin of Urdu language. Most of the linguists disagree to each other on the topic. Dr. Suhail Bukhari is one of the widely recognised Urdu linguists. He is greatly respected in Urdu world for his rendering and introducing new trend in Urdu linguistics. He also propounded a theory on the origin of Urdu. Though his theory could not get recognition rather proved to be a controversial yet it created ripples in the concerned circles. Ironically, date of birth of such a reputed scholar has yet not been determined. This article tries to determine his date of birth in light of his documents, educational certificates, statements and calendar.  </p