POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AMONG EMERGENCY RESPONDERS AND VICTIMS OF DISASTERS IN KAZAKHSTAN: PREVALENCE, RISK...

Natural and man-made emergencies have a significant long-term medical and psychological impact on both victims and emergency response personnel. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common mental health consequences in these groups. However, comprehensive assessments of rehabilitation needs in Kazakhstan remain limited.

To assess the need for medical and psychological rehabilitation and to identify the main risk factors for PTSD among emergency response personnel and victims of emergencies.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kazakhstan between 2021 and 2023 with prospectively planned data collection through structured interviews and surveys, involving 872 participants: 551 emergency service workers and 321 victims. The assessment included structured questionnaires (demographic, professional, and medical data), a Structured Clinical Interview (SCID), and the Mississippi PTSD Scale. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multivariate logistic regression, and ROC analysis of diagnostic accuracy.

PTSD symptoms were identified in 17.3% of emergency response personnel and 33.1% of victims. Independent risk factors for PTSD included belonging to the victim group (OR=1.72; 95% CI: 1.3-2.4; p<0.001), age (OR=1.05 per year; p=0.003), and length of service in emergencies (OR=1.03 per year; p=0.048). A moderate positive correlation was found between age and severity of PTSD symptoms (r=0.42; p<0.001). The Mississippi PTSD Scale demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy (AUC=0.82; 95% CI: 0.77-0.87) at an optimal cut-off score of 78.

Both victims and emergency response personnel show a significant need for medical and psychological rehabilitation. Early diagnosis and targeted rehabilitation programs are essential to reduce long-term psychological consequences in high-risk groups. The Mississippi PTSD Scale can be used as an effective screening tool in post-disaster rehabilitation practice.