Community Stress, Psychosocial Hazards, and EPA Decision-Making in Communities Impacted by Chronic Technological Disasters

Couch, Stephen R.; Coles, Charlton J.

doi:10.2105/ajph.2010.300039

Cited by 57 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Beyond biological plausibility, oil pollution and influence of exploration activities of oil industry in the rural communities could increase vulnerability including loss of livelihood and psychosocial stress [38] and [39]. For instance, loses incurred as a result of oil pollution of farmland, drinking water and fishing sources may have a knock-on effect to vulnerable individuals and families due to loss of occupational activities, income and leisure.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Stroke survivors in Nigeria: A door-to-door prevalence survey from the Niger Delta region

Ezejimofor

Uthman

Maduka

et al. 2017

Journal of the Neurological Sciences

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The burden of stroke has been projected to increase in low-and middle-income countries due to the ongoing epidemiological transition. However, community-based stroke prevalence studies are sparse in sub-Saharan Africa particularly in Nigeria. This study aimed to provide a comparative estimate of the prevalence of stroke survivors in the rural Niger Delta region. A three-phased door-to-door survey was conducted using WHO modified instruments. In the first-phase, 2028 adults (≥18 years) participants randomly selected from two rural communities were screened by trained health research assistants for probable stroke. In the second phase, suspected cases were screened with stroke-specific tool. Positive cases were made to undergo complete neurological evaluation by two study neurologist in phase-three.Stroke diagnosis was based on clinical evaluation using WHO criteria. Overall, 27 (8 firstever and 19 recurrent cases) stroke survivors with crude prevalence of 13.31/1000 (95% CI, 8.32-18.31) and a non-significant difference in prevalence between the two study communities were found, (P= 0.393I). In addition, age-adjusted prevalence of stroke survivors was 14.6/1000 person, about 7-folds higher than previous estimates outside the Niger Delta region. The prevalence increases significantly with advancing in age, P<0·001.Among others, hypertension (92.59%) was the commonest risk factor and comorbidity found.Improved stroke surveillance and care, as well as better management of the underlying risk factors, primarily undetected or uncontrolled high blood pressure, remains a public health priority.

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

Stroke survivors in Nigeria: A door-to-door prevalence survey from the Niger Delta region

Ezejimofor

Uthman

Maduka

et al. 2017

Journal of the Neurological Sciences

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“…This reflects prior studies which have found that targeted behavioral health interventions are largely unsuccessful when they do not address immediate environmental threats (Ory et al, 2002), lack of trust (Scammell et al, 2009), and otherwise incorporate local knowledge (Corburn, 2003). In this case as in others (Couch and Coles, 2011), the study process could exacerbate the physical and psychosocial health impacts on communities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

“…Few studies investigate the relationship between the perception of air pollution and disease outcomes (Gee and Takeuchi, 2004; Piro et al, 2008). We join others in calling for further research on “stress-intoxicant interactions” (Couch and Coles, 2011; McEwen and Tucker, 2011), which may assist in understanding and reducing health inequality.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Place-based stressors associated with industry and air pollution

et al. 2014

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Exposure to air pollution and its sources is increasingly viewed as a psychosocial stress, however its nature is not understood. This article explores the role of the concept of place on risk perception and community stress within data collected from eight focus groups in Philadelphia, USA. Discussions focused on air pollution, a nearby oil refinery, health, and a proposal for air monitoring. We present a framework of place-based elements of risk perception that includes place identity, stigma and social control. Our findings indicate that air pollution contributes to physical and psychosocial conditions that act as community-level social stressors. Findings also suggest that programs which seek to change behaviors and gather or spread information on issues such as pollution and other environmental concerns will be challenged unless they directly address: 1) the public’s identification with a place or industry, 2) immediate environmental stressors such as abandonment, waste and odors, and 3) public perceptions of lack of social control and fear of displacement.

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“…A measure of oil spill stress was chosen based on research on technological disasters suggesting that chronic stress related to the uncertainty of financial, health and environmental risks, rather than direct impact only, may be most detrimental to mental health (Couch and Coles 2011). The measure has been used in recent prospective research showing significant effects of stress related to the Gulf Oil Spill on child and adolescent mental health ).…”

Section: Posttraumatic Stress Symptomsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions of Trauma and Loss among Children and Adolescents Exposed to Disasters a Mixed-Methods Study

King

Osofsky

et al. 2015

Curr Psychol

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The purpose of the current study was to extend knowledge of youth exposed to multiple disasters and the experience of cumulative childhood adversity by analyzing perceptions of trauma and loss in children and adolescents. A concurrent mixed-methods design was utilized to explore an ethnically diverse, predominantly low-income sample of youth (N = 4,154) aged 8-18 years from three parishes (counties) in Louisiana impacted by Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf Oil Spill. Youth completed assessments of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), hurricane exposure and oil spill stress, and responded to an open-ended question regarding lifetime trauma and loss. Independent coders assigned responses to 30 categories using a qualitative codebook based on both predetermined and emerging information. Codes were compared and contrasted for meaning and grouped into broader, organizing themes. Themes of trauma and loss included: death and loss of others, threats to life, family disruption, interpersonal trauma, and life transitions. Trauma and loss predicted PTSS when controlling for hurricane exposure and oil spill stress. Most trauma and loss conferred generalized risk regardless of event typology, although interpersonal trauma had unique effects. Findings improve understanding of the nature and extent of trauma and loss among youth exposed to multiple disasters. The use of a mixed-methods design clarifies prior findings in the broader trauma literature and child disaster studies. Through identification of vulnerable subgroups and patterns in perceptions of trauma and loss, findings have important implications for prevention and intervention strategies that promote long-term recovery.

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Community Stress, Psychosocial Hazards, and EPA Decision-Making in Communities Impacted by Chronic Technological Disasters

Cited by 57 publications

References 61 publications

Stroke survivors in Nigeria: A door-to-door prevalence survey from the Niger Delta region

Stroke survivors in Nigeria: A door-to-door prevalence survey from the Niger Delta region

Place-based stressors associated with industry and air pollution

Perceptions of Trauma and Loss among Children and Adolescents Exposed to Disasters a Mixed-Methods Study

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