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Investigating the Aftershock of a Disaster: A Study of Health Service Utilization and Mental Health Symptoms in Post-Earthquake Nepal

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  • Tara Powell

    (School of Social Work, University of Illinois Urbana—Champaign, 1010 W. Nevada St., Urbana, IL 61801, USA)

  • Shang-Ju Li

    (Americares, 88 Hamilton Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902, USA)

  • Yuan Hsiao

    (Department of Sociology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-3340, USA)

  • Chloe Ettari

    (Americares, 88 Hamilton Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902, USA)

  • Anish Bhandari

    (Social Science Baha, 345 Ramchandra Marg, Battisputali, Kathmandu, Nepal)

  • Anne Peterson

    (Americares, 88 Hamilton Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902, USA)

  • Niva Shakya

    (Americares Nepal, Dhobighat 4, Lalitpur, State 3, Nepal)

Abstract

Background : In 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, causing unprecedented damage and loss in the mountain and hill regions of central Nepal. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between healthcare access and utilization, and post-disaster mental health symptoms. Methods : A cross-sectional study conducted with 750 disaster-affected individuals in six districts in central Nepal 15 months post-earthquake. Anxiety and depression were measured through the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Healthcare utilization questions examined types of healthcare in the communities, utilization, and approachability of care providers. Univariate analyses, ANOVAs and Tobit regression were used. Results : Depression and anxiety symptoms were significantly higher for females and individuals between 40–50 years old. Those who utilized a district hospital had the lowest anxiety and depression scores. Participants who indicated medical shops were the most important source of health-related information had more anxiety and depression than those who used other services. Higher quality of healthcare was significantly associated with fewer anxiety and depressive symptoms. Conclusions : Mental health symptoms can last long after a disaster occurs. Access to quality mental health care in the primary health care settings is critical to help individuals and communities recover immediately and during the long-term recovery.

Suggested Citation

  • Tara Powell & Shang-Ju Li & Yuan Hsiao & Chloe Ettari & Anish Bhandari & Anne Peterson & Niva Shakya, 2019. "Investigating the Aftershock of a Disaster: A Study of Health Service Utilization and Mental Health Symptoms in Post-Earthquake Nepal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:8:p:1369-:d:223315
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vikram Patel & Gary S Belkin & Arun Chockalingam & Janice Cooper & Shekhar Saxena & Jürgen Unützer, 2013. "Grand Challenges: Integrating Mental Health Services into Priority Health Care Platforms," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(5), pages 1-6, May.
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    3. Shoba Raja & Chris Underhill, 2012. "Integrating Mental Health and Development: A Case Study of the BasicNeeds Model in Nepal," Working Papers id:5110, eSocialSciences.
    4. Shoba Raja & Chris Underhill & Padam Shrestha & Uma Sunder & Saju Mannarath & Sarah Kippen Wood & Vikram Patel, 2012. "Integrating Mental Health and Development: A Case Study of the BasicNeeds Model in Nepal," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(7), pages 1-7, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alisha KC & Connie Cai Ru Gan & Febi Dwirahmadi, 2019. "Breaking Through Barriers and Building Disaster Mental Resilience: A Case Study in the Aftermath of the 2015 Nepal Earthquakes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Syadani Riyad Fatema & Leah East & Md Shahidul Islam & Kim Usher, 2021. "Health Impact and Risk Factors Affecting South and Southeast Asian Women Following Natural Disasters: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-17, October.

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