RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Health Problems Presented to Family Practices in The Netherlands 1 Year Before and 1 Year After a Disaster
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 548
OP 556
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2007.06.060067
VO 20
IS 6
A1 Rik J. H. Soeteman
A1 C. Joris Yzermans
A1 Jan J. Kerssens
A1 Anja J. E. Dirkzwager
A1 Ge A. Donker
A1 Petra M. H. ten Veen
A1 Wil J. H. M. van den Bosch
A1 Jouke van der Zee
YR 2007
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/20/6/548.abstract
AB Background: Disasters often have negative health consequences. Studies of health problems presented in family practice before and after a disaster are rare. The present study analyzed health problems before and after a disaster and predictors of increased morbidity after the disaster as presented in family practice.Methods: A matched cohort study design with measurements 1 year before the disaster and 1 year after the disaster. Victims (N = 9183) and matched controls (N = 7066) were surveyed in the electronic medical records of 30 family practices after the explosions of a fireworks depot in The Netherlands. All health problems were registered using the International Classification of Primary Care.Results: Victims showed significantly higher prevalence rates for psychological problems after the disaster than before the disaster (422 vs133 per 1000 person-years; P < .001) and for problems of the musculoskeletal system (450 vs 401 per 1000 person-years; P < .05).Relocation because of the disaster (odds ratio, 10.65; 95% confidence interval, 8.15–13.94) and, to a lesser degree, psychological morbidity before the disaster (odds ratio, 2.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.42–3.76) were the strongest predictors of psychological problems after the disaster.Conclusion: The results suggested that forced relocation and a history of psychological problems were risk factors to post-disaster psychological problems of victims presenting to a family practice.