Well-being and Mental Health Impact of Household Flooding in Guyana, the Caribbean

Abstract Guyana has annually experienced excessive rainfall and flooding since 2005. This study investigated the general well-being and mental health problems among occupants of households affected by the December 2008 flooding in Guyana. A cross-sectional study design was used to administer validated questionnaires, which included sections on demographics, environmental exposure, general health, and personal behavior. The response rate to the survey was 70% (130/185). The findings indicate an increased self-reported poor health for study participants who smelled moldy odors inside of their home (OR: 4.1, 95% CI: 2.0‐12.0) and for individuals who had mold or mildew inside of their homes (OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.2‐7.5). Individuals whose homes had flooded previously were also shown to be slightly more at risk for experiencing diminished interest in daily activities (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 0.5‐2.9) as well as diminished involvement in social activities (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 0.7‐4.8). Also, participants who had their houses previously flooded reported an increased difficulty in concentrating (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 0.9‐6.4). Flooding might be a possible risk factor for well-being and mental health problems among the occupants of affected households.