Change in emotional distress, anxiety, depression and PTSD from pre- to post-flood exposure in women residing in low-income settings in South Africa.

Journal: Archives of women's mental health

Volume: 27

Issue: 2

Year of Publication: 2024

Affiliated Institutions:  Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl DriveTygerberg, PO Box , Cape Town, , South Africa. jani.nothling@mrc.ac.za. Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl DriveTygerberg, PO Box , Cape Town, , South Africa. Project Empower, Durban, South Africa. Centre for Rural Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.

Abstract summary 

Floods are increasing in frequency and may increase the risk for experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, depression and PTSD. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of damage, loss, injury and death resulting from floods that occurred in and around the city of Durban, South Africa, in April 2022, and associated changes in mental health pre- to post-floods in a low-income setting. Seventy-three women between the ages of 18 and 45, residing in flood affected, low-income settings, were interviewed prior to the floods occurring. Mental health measures were repeated with 69 of the 73 women during the post-flood interview along with a questionnaire measuring flood-related exposures. Loss of infrastructure (lacked access to drinking water, electricity, fresh food, could not travel to work, had to stay in a shelter and could not get hold of friends or family) was a predictor of post-flood change in levels of emotional distress and anxiety. Higher levels of prior trauma exposure were associated with higher post-flood levels of emotional distress. Higher pre-flood food insecurity was also associated with higher post-flood anxiety. Women affected by poverty, food insecurity and a history of trauma are vulnerable to the additive adverse mental health effects of floods. Proactive approaches to diminishing the impact of floods on the livelihood of women is needed and post-flood relieve efforts may be more affective if they are enhanced by providing mental health support.

Authors & Co-authors:  Nöthling J J Gibbs A A Washington L L Gigaba S G SG Willan S S Abrahams N N Jewkes R R

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  Alderman K, Turner LR, Tong S. Floods and human health: a systematic review. Environ Int. 2012;47:37–47. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2012.06.003.
Authors :  7
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1007/s00737-023-01384-3
SSN : 1435-1102
Study Population
Women
Mesh Terms
Humans
Other Terms
Anxiety;Depression;Emotional distress;Floods;Posttraumatic stress disorder
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
South Africa
Publication Country
Austria