Effectiveness of Virtual Teaching Tool on Quality of Life and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Adolescents Affected by Flood at Uttarakhand: A Pilot Study

Background: Floods comes with devastating effects on individual and family worldwide. Flash floods are very common in India. Indian citizens have experienced a variety of floods at Uttarakhand, Kerala, Chennai, and Assam etc. The aftermath of floods can be seen on quality of life (QOL) and mental health as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among victims which should be improved. The present study was aimed to assess the effectiveness of the virtual teaching tool (VTT) on measures to improve QOL and PTSD among adolescents who experienced flood at Uttarakhand. Methods: Mixed method research approach and exploratory research study, one-group pre-test-post-test designs were adopted for this study. Using a non-probability, convenient sampling technique, forty adolescents who experienced flood were selected from the Bhatwadi, Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Tools includes demographic data, WHOQOL-BREF, PCL-5 and one subjective question. Results: VTT on measures to improve QOL and PTSD was administered after pre-test. The mean and standard deviation of post-test WHOQOL-BREF score 275.37±38.01 was higher than the mean and standard deviation of pre-test WHOQOL-BREF score 227.30±36.52. The mean and standard deviation of post-test PTSD (PCL-5) score 1.00±.00 was lower than the mean and standard deviation of pre-test PTSD (PCL-5) score 1.67±.474. There were no association between sociodemographic variables with WHOQOL-BREF score and PTSD (PCL-5) scale. There is a correlation in pre-test QOL and PTSD. People were afraid of floods, loss of lives and households, and there is acceptance to the aftermath of flood and ready to accommodate. Conclusions: VTT on measures to improve QOL and PTSD is effective and can bring the community change after among adolescents who experienced floods. Key words: Adolescents, flood, PTSD, QOL, virtual teaching tool.