Post-traumatic stress symptomatology in firefighters from a city in Chile

Abstract

Introduction: Firefighters perform tasks whose purpose is to provide protection and security to people, working in all kinds of emergencies, which potentiates them to a possible post-traumatic stress (PTSD).

Method: Cross-sectional analytical study. The samples were 55 active firefighters and a sociodemographic questionnaire and “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Revised Symptom Severity Scale (EGS-R)” were applied. Absolute-relative frequencies, percentages, and dynamic tables in Microsoft Excel were used for statistical analysis.

Results: There was a greater male participation, the most predominant age was 29 years and older, the most prevalent position was active firefighter, the triggering effect was vehicle rescues, and the diagnosis was that most of the firefighters surveyed were asymptomatic.

Conclusions: After a critical review of the various etiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of post-traumatic stress disorder in firefighters, it is concluded that the frequency of this disorder is probably much higher than admitted.