Sunday 12 / May / 2024
Muscat: A study conducted by Sultan Qaboos University, (SQU), recommends strengthening the ability of Omanis to adapt to the consequences of cyclones in the Sultanate of Oman.
The new study monitored the importance of mitigating the psychological effects of cyclones and depressions that the Sultanate of Oman is exposed to.
The study, prepared by researchers from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at SQU and published by the US National Library of Health Sciences, points to the importance of strengthening the ability of Omanis to adapt to the consequences of future cyclones, especially with regard to mental health, through the development of appropriate strategies within disaster management programs.
It stated the importance of developing strategies to improve resilience and coping mechanisms, especially for groups most at risk of mental health problems
Additionally, the study indicated that Cyclone Shaheen, which hit the Sultanate of Oman in 2021, caused damage to the mental health of many of those affected, most notably panic, nervous disorders and insomnia.
The study included a questionnaire in which 440 participants participated, 51.1% were males, and the rest were females. 51.8% of them live in Al-Khaboura, 28.6% in Al-Suwaiq, 13.6% in Al-Musanna, and 5.9% in Saham.
In all, 53.4% were over the age of 30. 60.7% of participants had completed secondary education, and the percentage of married people among them was 61.1%.
79.3% of the respondents reported that their homes were damaged during Cyclone Shaheen, 90.7% reported damage to their outdoor property, 63.6% reported that their cars were damaged, and 62.7% had to move out of their homes.
Participants also reported that they suffered from mental health symptoms most of the time, especially panic (35.2% of participants), hopelessness (34.3%), insomnia (42.7%), depression (31.4%), and stress (41.8%).
The study recommended that public health policy makers in the Sultanate of Oman need to target vulnerable subgroups of the population to mitigate these effects in such cases.
Furthermore, The study indicated that understanding which subgroups of the Omani population are most vulnerable to mental health problems is crucial in order to develop strategies to improve resilience and coping mechanisms.
Public health authorities and disaster management units must provide mental health support to the affected community. As psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers must also be available to provide mental health care.
