Prevalence and Association Factors in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following a Bombing

Abstract

Objective :To explore the mental health problems, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and pre-existing demographic factors for the development of PTSD in the survivors of Hat Yai bombing.

Method :This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with collected data by telephone at 6 months after a car bomb exploded at Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel in 2012. A demographic

questionnaire and the GHQ-12 Plus-R were administered. Descriptive statistics was used by the mean, frequency, percentage and crude analysis between variables using

logistic regression analysis.

Results :A total 23.4% of participants were suspected of experiencing PTSD 1 month after the bombing which then significantly decreased to 1.4 % at 6 months. The results revealed that religion, present region, physical illness and severity of injury were associated with the development of symptoms at 1 month. We found that while 19.9% of the

survivors might have mental health problems 2-3 weeks after the bombing there was a statistically significant decrease to 2.1 % at 6 months.

Conclusion :The mental health problems and PTSD associated with the March 31st , 2012 car bombing at Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel decreased significantly over time.