Psychological Effects of Residing in Seismically Active Zones: an Examination of Mental Health Outcomes

Abstract

Being in areas with regular seismic or volcanic activity can significantly affect people's psychology. The outcomes of the study focused on the chronic impact of mental well-being and requisite behavioral changes among populations dwelling in these risky regions. A prevalence cross-sectional study was conducted in 15 seismic and volcanic regions or districts in the country. The convenience sampling technique was adopted in the present study, and the cross-sectional study design used multistage cluster sampling. Structured face-to-face interviews were also conducted to get the rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, and cognitive Impairment where PCL-5, PHQ-9, GAD-7, AUDIT-DAST, and MoCA, respectively, were used. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. According to the findings, there was the existence of substantial mental health impacts in these groups. For anxiety disorders, the prevalence rates ranged from 17. 456% to 26. 987%, for depression, it ranged from 10. 345% to 19. 345%, for PTSD from 12. 567% to 24. 109 %, and for substance abuse, it ranged from 4. 567% to 10. 098%. The incidence of cognitively impaired patients varied from 8. 098% to 15. 567%. Certain tendencies were identified to be regional, perhaps due to differences in the rate of disasters, social preparedness, or reaction. Thus, this work underscores the severe continuity of its psychological effects on people in a seismically affected area. A high proportion of clients presenting with anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and cognitive deficits indicates a demand for mental health services, community interventions, and personalized care in Resilience for the targeted clientele.