R. Charara, Lebanon

American University of Beirut Medical Center Psychiatry

Presenter of 2 Presentations

e-Poster Presentations (ID 1106) AS13. Epidemiology and Social Psychiatry

EPP0644 - Community mental healthcare in Lebanon

Session Name
e-Poster Presentations (ID 1106)
Date
Sun, 11.04.2021
Session Time
07:30 - 23:59
Room
e-Poster Gallery
Lecture Time
07:30 - 07:30

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Lebanon is a medium-income country in the Eastern Mediterranean which has seen a surge in interest in mental health following years of stagnation. The mental health needs of the country for severe psychiatric disorders are underserved.

Objectives

The aim of our study is to describe community mental healthcare services in Lebanon and to address local opportunities and challenges.

Methods

A review of the literature using local resources along with expert opinion was undertaken to synthesize the evidence.

Results

Political instability, chronic underfunding and widespread stigma have contributed to maintaining a traditional model of private clinics affiliated with inpatient and long-stay psychiatric units. A number of initiatives have been launched to cater for patients with psychotic disorders and to offer partial hospitalization for others with mood-related conditions. In parallel, the Ministry of Public Health, with international funding, has been instrumental in efforts to standardize care at a national level, particularly for early detection and treatment in primary care. The priorities of the national mental health programme are consistent with the global trend in shifting services to the community. Hurdles remain, in line with those facing countries with similar socio-demographics and resources. These include limited third-party coverage of mental health, absence of training opportunities in multidisciplinary community settings and some clinicians’ reluctance to update their ways of working.

Conclusions

Development of a local workforce dedicated to providing a patient-centred approach in the least restrictive settings, is essential for consolidating community care in Lebanon. This would be reinforced by (overdue) legislation and implementation of a mental health law.

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Oral Communications (ID 1110) AS30. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

O205 - The psychiatric impact of the 2020 Beirut port explosion on civilians and relief workers

Date
Sat, 10.04.2021
Session Time
07:00 - 21:00
Room
On Demand
Lecture Time
14:00 - 14:12

ABSTRACT

Introduction

On August 4th 2020, a massive port explosion shook Beirut, killing at least 200, injuring more than 6,000 people and leaving more than a quarter of a million living in unfit homes. Various factors can participate in the severity of mental health outcomes of a disaster including the number of injuries, the degree of property destruction, unexpectedness of the occurrence of the event, and the type of the disaster.

Objectives

The main aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (acute stress disorder) and major depression at 1 and 6 months following the Beirut explosion. The secondary aim is to determine predictors of PTSD incidence among civilians and relief workers affected by the disaster.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study with data collected via an online survey through convenience sampling. People will be recruited via social media platforms. To achieve a power of 80% and a two-sided significance of 5% and because gender differences will be explored, assuming a design effect (deff) of 2.5, a minimum sample of 960 participants would be needed. The survey will include sociodemographic data, questions about exposure levels to trauma and a psychiatric symptom inventory. Pearson’s Chi Square test will be used to examine the association between categorical variables and regression models will be run to examine the associations while controlling for confounders, including age, gender and others.

Results

The results from both rounds of data collection (months 1 and 6) will be available in late March 2021.

Conclusions

Conclusions to follow based on results

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