Details:

Alternative Title:
Disaster Med Public Health Prep
Personal Author:
Fullerton, Carol S. ; McKibben, Jodi B.A. ; Reissman, Dori B. ; Scharf, Ted ; Kowalski-Trakofler, Kathleen M. ; ... More +
Fullerton, Carol S. ; McKibben, Jodi B.A. ; Reissman, Dori B. ; Scharf, Ted ; Kowalski-Trakofler, Kathleen M. ; Shultz, James M. ; Ursano, Robert J. Less -
Description:
Objective

We examined the relationship of probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), probable depression, and increased alcohol and/or tobacco use to disaster exposure and work demand in Florida Department of Health workers after the 2004 hurricanes.

Methods

Participants (N = 2249) completed electronic questionnaires assessing PTSD, depression, alcohol and tobacco use, hurricane exposure, and work demand.

Results

Total mental and behavioral health burden (probable PTSD, probable depression, increased alcohol and/or tobacco use) was 11%. More than 4% had probable PTSD, and 3.8% had probable depression. Among those with probable PTSD, 29.2% had increased alcohol use, and 50% had increased tobacco use. Among those with probable depression, 34% indicated increased alcohol use and 55.6% increased tobacco use. Workers with greater exposure were more likely to have probable PTSD and probable depression (ORs = 3.3 and 3.06, respectively). After adjusting for demographics and work demand, those with high exposure were more likely to have probable PTSD and probable depression (ORs = 3.21 and 3.13). Those with high exposure had increased alcohol and tobacco use (ORs = 3.01 and 3.40), and those with high work demand indicated increased alcohol and tobacco use (ORs = 1.98 and 2.10). High exposure and work demand predicted increased alcohol and tobacco use, after adjusting for demographics, work demand, and exposure.

Conclusions

Work-related disaster mental and behavioral health burden indicate the need for additional mental health interventions in the public health disaster workforce.


Subjects:
[+]
Adult Aged Alcohol Drinking Alcohol Use Article Cyclonic Storms Depression Female Humans Hurricane Male Middle Aged PTSD Public Health Public Health Workers Risk Factors Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Surveys And Questionnaires Tobacco Use Workload
Source:
Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 7(1):89-95.
Pubmed ID:
24618140
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC4654946
Document Type:
Journal Article
Funding:
CC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United States
Place as Subject:
Florida
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:8c951ff2c03ed9f472d6e137a8f193d102096c04f54130f87f8571ee9ca2ccdb
Download URL:
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/36684/cdc_36684_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• nihms737129.nxml

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