Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after the 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake in Piura, Peru: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

In Peru, major disasters like the 2007 Pisco earthquake have produced high rates of post-traumatic stress. However, evidence is still needed to strengthen interventions. In 2021, a major earthquake struck Piura, in northern Peru. In this context, we aimed to assess the prevalence of PTSD and its associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted during August–September 2021 in people who experienced the 6.1 Piura earthquake on 30 July 2021. The questionnaire included the PCL-C, CD-RISC, ISI, HFIAS, and additional demographic data. Generalized linear models were used. The prevalence of PTSD was 20.3%. Household income was between PEN 2001 and 3000 (PR = 4.26, 95% CI: 1.08–16.75), smoking (PR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.03–6.01), experience of a nervous breakdown (PR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.09–3.09), moderate food insecurity (PR = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.10–7.73), and severe insomnia (PR = 8.25, 95% CI: 2.22–30.71) increased the prevalence of PTSD. One out of five individuals experienced post-traumatic stress symptoms after the 2021 earthquake in Piura, which varies depending on socioeconomic, psychosocial, and individual factors. Further research should strengthen these findings to ensure a fair and early mental health intervention against new seismic events in this and other Peruvian regions.

Factors Associated with Knowledge of Evacuation Routes and Having an Emergency Backpack in Individuals Affected by a Major Earthquake in Piura, Peru

“…This was a cross-sectional analytical study based on data from a previous study conducted in the resident population of Piura, Peru, which experienced a 6.1 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale on 30 July 2021 [ 21 , 22 ]. The study used an online survey to collect information on mental health outcomes, sociodemographic data, and earthquake-related information (as explained in the Procedures section).…”

Post-Traumatic Stress Associated with Telework-Related Job Limitation in Latin America

“…In Peru, it was found in a population affected by floods caused by the El Niño Costero phenomenon [ 22 ]. Currently, PTSD has been reported as one of the most frequent diagnoses during the pandemic [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Likewise, an increase in depressive symptoms, anxiety [ 27 , 28 ], suicide risk [ 29 ], psychological distress [ 30 ], and sleep problems [ 31 ] were due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic [ 32 ].…”