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Partial and full PTSD in Brazilian ambulance workers: Prevalence and impact on health and on quality of life
Author(s) -
Berger William,
Figueira Ivan,
Maurat Ana Maria,
Bucassio Érika P.,
Vieira Isabela,
Jardim Sílvia R.,
Coutinho Evandro S. F.,
Mari Jair J.,
Mendlowicz Mauro V.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.20242
Subject(s) - posttraumatic stress , mental health , cross sectional study , psychiatry , medicine , checklist , population , quality of life (healthcare) , clinical psychology , psychology , environmental health , pathology , cognitive psychology , nursing
A cross‐sectional survey for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was conducted with 234 Brazilian ambulance workers (180 men and 54 women) using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist–Civilian Version, and the Short Form Health Survey‐36. Current prevalence rates for full and partial PTSD were 5.6% (men = 6.7%, women = 1.9%) and 15% (men = 13.3%, women = 20.4%), respectively. Male workers with full PTSD were more likely to be nonmarried (75% vs. 43%) and those with partial PTSD reported more emotional problems (65.2% vs. 30%) and medical visits (67% vs. 44%) than the controls. Workers with PTSD showed impairment in the physical and mental domains of the SF‐36, whereas workers with partial PTSD had only the later compromised. The characteristics and the level of exposure to trauma of the study population may account for the low prevalence of PTSD.