The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66744

Cristiane S. Duarte, PhD, C. W. Hoven, DrPH, P. Wu, PhD, G. Musa, D.J. Mandell, M. Nagasawa, and L. Hill. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 43, New York, NY 10032, 212-543-5688, duartec@childpsych.columbia.edu

Background: Previous studies reported elevated frequency of post-traumatic symptomatology in Latino adults after mass traumatic events, such as the Vietnam War (Ortega, 2001) or the WTC attacks (Galea, 2002). Information about Latino children is not available. Objective: To verify whether the risk of developing PTSD was elevated among Latino children six months after the WTC attack Setting: New York City public schools. Participants: Representative sample of 6,991 NYC public school students, grades 6 –12, assessed six months after 9/11. Results: 8.5% of the NYC public school Latino students in grades 6 to 12 presented probable PTSD related to the WTC attacks. The risk of PTSD was higher in Latinos than in non-Latino Whites, even after controlling for sociodemographic and exposure variables (Adjusted OR=1.51 95%CI= 1.09,2.09). Hierarchical analysis of logistic regression models indicated that, among the studied factors, prior exposure to trauma was responsible for the increased risk of Latinos compared to non-Latino Whites. Individual PTSD symptoms were also compared between Latinos and other ethnic groups. Discussion: The increased risk for probable PTSD in the Latino population has been resported only in evaluations conducted after mass disasters, but not in community studies of PTSD. Family and social structure of Latino communities, which usually include high level of sharing experiences, might be key factors in understanding these differences. Further examination of the matter is expected to improve knowledge about traumatic responses in general.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the existence of an increased risk for PTSD in the Latino population after a mass-disaster, particularly in children.

Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Latino

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.