Mental health status of front-line nurses and rear nurses participating in the rescue of Wenchuan earthquake six years ago

16^th Clinical Nursing & Nurse Education Conference

November 21-22, 2016 Melbourne, Australia

Lei Lei

Sichuan University, China

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Aim: Aim of this study is to investigate the mental health status and its related factors of nurses who took part in rescue of the Wenchuan earthquake six years ago, and to compare the mental health status between the front-line nurses and the rear nurses. Methods: 149 front-line nurses and 139 rear nurses were investigated by self-designed general information questionnaire, symptom checklist 90 (SCL-90) and post-traumatic stress disorder checklist civilian version (PCL-C). Results: The scores of interpersonal relationship and crankiness dimensions of the two groups were lower compared with the Chinese norm (Z1=-8,538, p1<.001, Z1=-3.346, p1=.001; Z2=-7.905, p2<.001, Z2=-5.196, p2<.001, while the scores of depression of the rear nurses were lower than norm (Z2=-2.395, p2=.018). As for SCL-90 total scores and the other dimensions, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups and the Chinese norm. The probably prevalence of PTSD among the front-line nurses and the rear nurses were 6.7% and 3.6% respectively. There was no statistically significant difference of the SCL-90 total scores and PCL-C total scores between the two groups. Loss of property, being divorced or widowed, bad health condition and low income were the main related factors influencing the mental health status of the frontline nurses. As for the rear nurses factors included were bad health condition, displeasure of living condition, belief in religion and psychological support. Conclusion: The mental health status of rescue nurses were approximate to or better than the Chinese norm six years after the Wenchuan earthquake, and the two groups of nurses were approaching the same level. Current health status and economic condition were the main factors influencing the mental health of rescuing nurses.

Biography :

Lei Lei is a Chinese registered Nurse, Post-graduate Student, majoring in Mental/Psychological Nursing at West China School of Medicine, Department of Nursing, Sichuan University.

Email: 568522150@qq.com