[Behavioural risk factors in L'Aquila (Central Italy) 3-5 years after the 2009 earthquake]. / Fattori di rischio comportamentali all'Aquila 3-5 anni dopo il terremoto del 2009.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the long-term impact on the health of the general population of L'Aquila earthquake that occurred on April 6th, 2009. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: three consecutive surveys were performed on samples of the population of 18-69 years resident in L'Aquila and in the other towns affected by the earthquake. Data on health-related quality of life, depressive disorders, behaviour risk factor, and adoption of preventive measures were collected through telephone interviews in 2007-2008, in 2010, and in 2011-2014. RESULTS: the prevalence of individuals who declared to have economic difficulties increased after 3-5 years from the earthquake (8% in 2010 vs. 14% in 2011-2014). Nevertheless, health-related quality of life improved (decrease of unhealthy days: 7 in 2010 vs. 5 in 2011-2014), while the prevalence of depressive symptoms decreased so that it reached the national average rates (16% in 2010 vs. 7% in 2011-2014). Lack of physical activity, a serious consequence of the first period after the earthquake, became less habitual (39% in 2010 vs. 27% in 2011-2014), probably due to an improvement in the urban redevelopment. The prevalence of smoking and harmful use of alcohol is high (34% and 21%), mostly among young adults. CONCLUSIONS: 3-5 years after the earthquake of L'Aquila, compared to 2010 the quality of life related to health is improved (except in people with at least one chronic disease), and the frequency of depressive symptoms decreased, a sign of an extended recovery from conditions caused by the earthquake, despite of an increasing economic difficulties. On the other hand, we must emphasize critical elements, such as the high prevalence of smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages other than as part of the meals, especially among young people, and very frequent physical inactivity, particularly among the elderly, although lower than in 2010. Finally, adherence to preventive measures and screening for cancer, and adoption of road safety devices could be improved.

Health-Related Quality of Life in the Aftermath of the L'Aquila Earthquake in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: A recent article reported a reduction in the suicide rate in the inhabitants of L'Aquila (Italy) in 2009, when on the night of April 6, a devastating earthquake struck the city. The potential implications of the role of resilience in the aftermath of natural disasters, together with the limitations of existing evidence on this topic, suggest a need for more research. We aimed to retrospectively investigate the impact of the L'Aquila earthquake on a standardized self-reported measure of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: HRQoL data were collected through 2 separate cross-sectional surveys conducted during 2008 and 2010, before and after the earthquake that occurred in 2009, on 2 random samples of adults living in L'Aquila. RESULTS: The data seemed to suggest no decrease in the inhabitants' HRQoL level after the disaster, which may suggest the role of resilience in supporting survivors' HRQoL. The findings were also consistent with previous observations of a reduction in the suicide rate in the same inhabitants after the earthquake. CONCLUSIONS: After a natural disaster, people likely activate personal resources and protective social factors that result in better subjective outcomes.