Assessment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Survivors of the Al Haouz Earthquake

Abstract

On September 8, 2023, the Al Haouz region was hit by an earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale. It has been described as one of the most violent in Moroccan history. The latest report shows 2,946 dead and 5,674 injured, with nearly 90% of victims recorded in the provinces of Al Haouz and Taroudant alone. During our work as a psychiatrist in the field hospital in the Tafingoult region (Taroudant Region), we collected 35 cases of acute stress disorder (ASD) among the survivors, during the first month after the onset trembling. We investigated the psychometric properties of PCL-5 scores (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Check List for Diagnostic and statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)) in this population of 35 earthquake survivors. We also listed sociodemographic and biographical data, as well as psychiatric history in this population, while assessing the intensity of human and material damage among them. With the aim of identifying the factors responsible for the appearance of each group of symptoms. The main findings identify being trapped under rubble or having deceased children as factors influencing the onset of PTSD. They are responsible specifically for avoidance symptoms.