Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and other mental health problems following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The 2010 earthquake in Haiti caused significant human and material damages, thousands of deaths and injuries, and 1.5 million homeless. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesize research on the prevalence and factors associated with PTSD, depression, anxiety symptoms, and other mental health problems among survivors.

Methods: We searched six databases and retained 50 articles for the systematic review, 28 of which were included in three random effects meta-analyses on the prevalence of PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms in survivors.

Results: Following the earthquake, more than one out of four individuals (28.44%,CI 95%,17.68%-42.37%; k = 24) reported severe symptoms of PTSD, one out of three reported severe symptoms of depression (32.16%,CI 95%,23.60%-42.11%; K=14), and one out of five reported severe symptoms of anxiety (20.49%,CI 95%,15.74%-26.24%;k=5). Studies revealed important rates of other mental health problems (including psychological distress and disturbance, suicidal ideations, and increased alcohol consumption) in survivors. Females were 41.38% more likely than males to experience severe symptoms of PTSD (OR = 1.41,CI 95%,1.22-1.64). Time was a moderator for depression and anxiety but not for PTSD, while the average age of participants only moderated depression.

Limitations: The studies included are observational and most used self-reported measures.

Conclusions: In a global context where natural disasters tripled since 1980, this first systematic review showed that human and material damages associated with the earthquake were sufficiently traumatic to induce severe symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. Clinical and research implications are discussed.

Prospero Registration Number: CRD42018115430.