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Insomnia and Mental Health Outcomes After Catastrophic Disasters: A Cross-Sectional Study Examining the Long-Term
Farid Talih1, Chadi Antoun1, Ismat Annan1
1Department of Psychiatry, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
Background:
The August 4, 2020 Beirut port explosion caused widespread destruction and psychological distress. This study evaluates long-term effects on sleep disturbances and trauma, focusing on proximity to the blast site.
Methods:
We surveyed 248 adults residing in Lebanon during the explosion using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4).
Results:
Overall, 62.1% reported insomnia symptoms. Clinically significant insomnia was more common within 6 km of the explosion (28.8%) than beyond (16.8%; p = 0.024). Direct exposure (injury, property damage) was linked to higher insomnia rates (p = 0.002). Logistic regression showed proximity (OR = 2.17, p = 0.025) and female gender (OR = 2.40, p = 0.035) increased insomnia likelihood. Proximity was also associated with increased alcohol (p = 0.017) and recreational drug use (p = 0.030).
Conclusion:
These findings demonstrate the long-lasting impact of the Beirut explosion on sleep health and related substance use. They underscore the importance of integrating sleep-focused interventions into mental health disaster response to improve recovery outcomes.
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