Predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder among ambulance personnel in the western cape province

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorAdams, Shahieda
dc.contributor.authorNtatamala, Itumeleng Mmoko Theophelus
dc.date.accessioned2022-01-20T07:31:05Z
dc.date.available2022-01-20T07:31:05Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.date.updated2022-01-20T07:30:08Z
dc.description.abstractObjective: To determine the factors associated with an increased risk for PTSD in ambulance personnel and the barriers faced in accessing support for work related stress (WRS). Methods: A cross-sectional study of voluntary participants comprising 388 ambulance personnel was conducted. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires: Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), EMS Critical Incident Inventory (CII), EMS Chronic Stress Questionnaire (EMSCSQ), SF-36 Quality of Life questionnaire (SF-36) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) which were used to assess PTSD and level of occupational stressors. Results: The prevalence of PTSD in the study population was 30%. Participants were predominantly female (55%), median age 38 (IQR; 31 - 44) years with a professional qualification (83%). Those with PTSD were more likely current smokers (OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.05 - 2.95), current illicit drug users (OR=16.4, 95% CI: 1.87 - 143.86) and problem drinkers (OR=3.86, 95% CI: 1.80 - 8.23). A self-reported mental health condition (OR=3.76, 1.96 - 7.21), being treated for a medical condition (OR=1.95, 1.22 - 3.11), exposure to chronic WRS (OR=1.05, 1.04 - 1.07) and high critical incident stress score (OR=1.03, 1.02 - 1.04) were positively associated with PTSD risk. Barriers to seeking help for WRS included concerns that services were not confidential, and that the participant's career would be negatively affected. Conclusion: The PTSD prevalence in ambulance personnel is considerably higher than that found in previous studies conducted among this occupational group in the Western Cape. Identified risk factors should inform interventions designed to support ambulance personnel and a greater focus on addressing barriers to accessing care is needed.
dc.identifier.apacitationNtatamala, I. M. T. (2021). <i>Predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder among ambulance personnel in the western cape province</i>. (). ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/35524en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationNtatamala, Itumeleng Mmoko Theophelus. <i>"Predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder among ambulance personnel in the western cape province."</i> ., ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/35524en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationNtatamala, I.M.T. 2021. Predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder among ambulance personnel in the western cape province. . ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/35524en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Master Thesis AU - Ntatamala, Itumeleng Mmoko Theophelus AB - Objective: To determine the factors associated with an increased risk for PTSD in ambulance personnel and the barriers faced in accessing support for work related stress (WRS). Methods: A cross-sectional study of voluntary participants comprising 388 ambulance personnel was conducted. Participants completed self-administered questionnaires: Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), EMS Critical Incident Inventory (CII), EMS Chronic Stress Questionnaire (EMSCSQ), SF-36 Quality of Life questionnaire (SF-36) and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) which were used to assess PTSD and level of occupational stressors. Results: The prevalence of PTSD in the study population was 30%. Participants were predominantly female (55%), median age 38 (IQR; 31 - 44) years with a professional qualification (83%). Those with PTSD were more likely current smokers (OR=1.76, 95% CI: 1.05 - 2.95), current illicit drug users (OR=16.4, 95% CI: 1.87 - 143.86) and problem drinkers (OR=3.86, 95% CI: 1.80 - 8.23). A self-reported mental health condition (OR=3.76, 1.96 - 7.21), being treated for a medical condition (OR=1.95, 1.22 - 3.11), exposure to chronic WRS (OR=1.05, 1.04 - 1.07) and high critical incident stress score (OR=1.03, 1.02 - 1.04) were positively associated with PTSD risk. Barriers to seeking help for WRS included concerns that services were not confidential, and that the participant's career would be negatively affected. Conclusion: The PTSD prevalence in ambulance personnel is considerably higher than that found in previous studies conducted among this occupational group in the Western Cape. Identified risk factors should inform interventions designed to support ambulance personnel and a greater focus on addressing barriers to accessing care is needed. DA - 2021 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - occupational KW - paramedic KW - ambulance personnel KW - PTSD KW - predictors KW - barriers LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2021 T1 - Predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder among ambulance personnel in the western cape province TI - Predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder among ambulance personnel in the western cape province UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/35524 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/35524
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationNtatamala IMT. Predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder among ambulance personnel in the western cape province. []. ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, 2021 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/35524en_ZA
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Public Health and Family Medicine
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.subjectoccupational
dc.subjectparamedic
dc.subjectambulance personnel
dc.subjectPTSD
dc.subjectpredictors
dc.subjectbarriers
dc.titlePredictors of post-traumatic stress disorder among ambulance personnel in the western cape province
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMMed
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_hsf_2021_ntatamala itumeleng mmoko theophelus.pdf
Size:
2.58 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
0 B
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Masters