Mental health problems in the Gomel region (Belarus): an analysis of risk factors in an area affected by the Chernobyl disaster

Abstract

SynopsisThe epidemiology of mental problems in the Gomel region in the republic of Belarus was studied in a two-stage survey of a broad based population sample (N = 1617), using the General Health Questionnaire (12-item version) and the Munich Diagnostic Checklist for DSM-III-R. The Gomel region is one of the areas that was most severely affected by the Chernobyl nuclear diaster in 1986. In the studied population sample 64·8% had a GHQ-score above the threshold of 2. A DSM-III-R psychiatric disorder was present in 35·8%, with especially high rates for affective (16·5%) and anxiety disorders (12·6%). Dysthymia, general anxiety disorder, adjustment disorders and ‘not otherwise specified syndromes’ made up almost two-thirds of the observed morbidity (22·9%). A higher prevalence of mental health problems, both in terms of the GHQ and the DSM-III-R was observed among people who have been evacuated and in mothers with children under 18 years of age. These data indicate that the Chernobyl nuclear disaster may be partly responsible for the high prevalence of (milder) psychiatric disorders and psychological distress in the Gomel region, even 6 years after the event. Future studies comparing the data from Gomel region with an unexposed area will have to provide a more definite answer concerning the impact of this nuclear disaster on mental health.

Alcohol Use, Mental Health Status and Psychological Well-being 2 Years After the World Trade Center Attacks in New York City

“…Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, respiratory aliments, cardiovascular conditions, and panic disorder have been commonly reported consequences of such disasters and mass trauma (1,6,(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Researchers also have documented the increase in substance use in the aftermath of community disasters (7,(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18).…”

Social and psychological resources and health outcomes after the World Trade Center disaster

“…Recently, studies have focused on exposure to community disasters as a specific type of stressor and factors that can intensify or diminish the effects of such stressful events on individuals (Adams et al, 2002;Bromet, Gluzman, Schwartz, & Goldgaber, 2002;Havenaar et al, 1996;Norris et al, 2002). Although some researchers have contended that persons recover quickly from these experiences (e.g., McFarlane, 1988McFarlane, , 1989, reviews of disaster studies have concluded that large-scale community traumas can result in a significant increase in psychological problems in the short-term and can have significant negative physical and mental health consequences for years post-disaster (Brewin, Andrews, & Valentine, 2000;Bromet & Dew, 1995;Rubonis & Bickman, 1991).…”

“…Among direct survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing , for example, 45% had post-disaster psychiatric disorders and 34% had PTSD. Studies after the Chornobyl nuclear accident found that psychological distress and complaints of physical problems were significantly more prevalent among residents living near the plant when it exploded compared to those from areas further away as long as 11 years after the accident (Adams et al, 2002;Bromet et al, 2002;Havenaar et al, 1996).…”

Health Effects of the Chernobyl Disaster: Illness or Illness Behavior? A Comparative General Health Survey in Two Former Soviet Regions

“…Increased mortality from cardiovascular disease attributed to the effects of stress has been reported after the 1976 disaster with highly toxic dioxin at Seveso, Italy (6). In the case of the Chernobyl disaster the occurrence of psychological distress in the exposed population has been documented, but the clinical significance of this is as yet unknown (7)(8)(9).…”