[Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among ambulance officers during the COVID-19 pandemic].

Introduction

The coronavirus epidemic in 2019 put ambulance officers’ health at risk in all areas.

Objective

The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder among ambulance officers after the pandemic. Data and method: After obtaining the necessary permits, we conducted our cross-sectional, quantitative survey online among the employees of the National Ambulance Service between February and May 2023, using a non-random convenience sample. In addition to John Brier’s Trauma Symptom Checklist-33, our questionnaire included questions about sociodemographic data, work and the coronavirus epidemic. The survey included those who reached the age of 18, had at least 1 year of employment as paramedic or medic, and were active during the pandemic. Data analysis was done with SPSS 26.0 program, using descriptive (average, frequency, confidence range) and mathematical-statistical procedures (chi2-test, T-test, ANOVA, correlation). The results were considered significant at p<0.05.

Results

The sample consisted of 237 people (n = 237), 84% of whom were men, the average age was 39.65 ± 10.48 years. Most of them (24.1%) worked in the Budapest rescue service as rescue officers (25.7%). 73.7% of the respondents got infected with COVID–19. On a 5-point Likert scale (where 1 is the least, 5 is the most), the quarantine affected them at an average value of 2.21 ± 1.32, and they feared for their family’s safety from the coronavirus at a value of 3.49 ± 1.29. The average score measured on the post-traumatic stress disorder test (between 0–99 points) was 26.52 ± 19.36, 25.7% of the respondents scored above 40 points, who were the most at risk of the disease. The disease affected more women (p = 0.028), more people living in social relationships (p = 0.013), those who were more affected emotionally by the quarantine (r = 0.296, p<0.001), those who were physically more affected by overwork due to the coronavirus (r = 0.307, p<0.001), and more mentally stressed (r = 0.776, p<0.001). For those whose post-traumatic stress disorder proved to be more severe based on their score, a greater proportion used the help of a mental health specialist provided by the National Ambulance Service (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Special attention should continue to be paid to the mental health care of paramedics, especially in the identified risk groups. Orv Hetil. 2024; 165(45): 1779–1787.