Insomnia and Mental Health Outcomes After Catastrophic Disasters: A Cross-Sectional Study Examining the Long-Term Effects of the Beirut Port Explosion.

BACKGROUND

The August 4, 2020 Beirut port explosion caused widespread destruction and psychological distress. This study evaluates long-term effects on sleep disturbances and trauma, focusing on proximity to the blast site.

METHODS

We surveyed 248 adults residing in Lebanon during the explosion using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4).

RESULTS

Overall, 62.1% reported insomnia symptoms. Clinically significant insomnia was more common within 6 km of the explosion (28.8%) than beyond (16.8%; p = 0.024). Direct exposure (injury, property damage) was linked to higher insomnia rates (p = 0.002). Logistic regression showed proximity (OR = 2.17, p = 0.025) and female gender (OR = 2.40, p = 0.035) increased insomnia likelihood. Proximity was also associated with increased alcohol (p = 0.017) and recreational drug use (p = 0.030).

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate the long-lasting impact of the Beirut explosion on sleep health and related substance use. They underscore the importance of integrating sleep-focused interventions into mental health disaster response to improve recovery outcomes.