Publication
Help-seeking following a flooding event: a cross-sectional analysis of adults affected by flooding in England in winter 2013/14
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date:
16-06-2023
DOI:
10.1093/EURPUB/CKAD082
Abstract: Flooding can cause long-term, significant impacts on mental health in affected populations. We explored help-seeking behaviour of households affected by flooding. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on National Study of Flooding and Health data on households flooded in England in winter 2013/14. Participants (Year 1: n = 2006 Year 2: n = 988 Year 3: n = 819) were asked if they sought help from health services and other sources. Logistic regression was conducted to calculate odds ratios (ORs) of help-seeking in flooded and disrupted participants compared to unaffected, adjusted for a priori confounders. The odds of seeking help from any source 1 year after flooding were greater for flooded participants [adjusted OR (aOR): 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19–1.45] and those disrupted by flooding (aOR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.37–2.68) compared to unaffected participants. This continued in the second year (flooded: aOR 6.24, 95% CI: 3.18–13.34 disrupted: aOR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.14–4.68), and help-seeking remained greater in flooded than unaffected participants in the third year. Flooded and disrupted participants were particularly likely to seek help from informal sources. Help-seeking was more prevalent amongst participants with mental health outcomes, but a notable proportion of in iduals with any mental health outcome did not seek help (Year 1: 15.0% Year 2: 33.3% Year 3: 40.3%). Flooding is associated with increased demand for formal and informal support, persisting for at least 3 years, and an unmet need for help amongst affected in iduals. Our findings should be considered in flood response planning to reduce the long-term adverse health impacts of flooding.