Low post-traumatic stress disorder rate in Chinese in Beijing, China

There have been significantly fewer community-based, epidemiological studies focusing on PTSD and its socio-demographic correlates among the Chinese than Western populations.The multistage household cluster random sampling method was used to select participants from18 districts and counties in Beijing; a total of 16,032 participants were assessed; face-to-face interviews and data collection was conducted using the semi-structured clinical interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders-Patient Edition (SCID-I/P).The lifetime PTSD prevalence was 0.3 Older age, low educational level, low personal monthly income, urban living, unemployment and being a farmer were all significantly associated with an increased risk of PTSD. Multivariate analysis showed that farmers and the unemployed were significantly associated with a higher risk for PTSD.The prevalence rates of PTSD in Beijing were low compared with that of Western countries. Farming occupation and unemployment were independent risk factors for PTSD.