Comparison of post-disaster psychiatric disorders after terrorist bombings in Nairobi and Oklahoma City.
BACKGROUND: African disaster-affected populations are poorly represented in disaster mental health literature. AIMS: To compare systematically assessed mental health in populations directly exposed to terrorist bombing attacks on two continents, North America and Africa. METHOD: Structured diagnostic interviews compared citizens exposed to bombings of the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya (n=227) and the Oklahoma City Federal Building (n=182). RESULTS: Prevalence rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression were similar after the bombings. No incident (new since the bombing) alcohol use disorders were observed in either site. Symptom group C was strongly associated with PTSD in both sites. The Nairobi group relied more on religious support and the Oklahoma City group used more medical treatment, drugs and alcohol. CONCLUSIONS: Post-disaster psychopathology had many similarities in the two cultures; however, coping responses and treatment were quite different. The findings suggest potential for international generalisability of post-disaster psychopathology, but confirmatory studies are needed.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Terrorism
- Survivors
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
- Psychiatry
- Prevalence
- Oklahoma
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Kenya
- Humans
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Terrorism
- Survivors
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
- Psychiatry
- Prevalence
- Oklahoma
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Kenya
- Humans