The effects of the paramedics' field work on their mental status in Jeddah.

Abstract

Background: Paramedics are continuously exposed to stressful events, making them liable to mental disorders. This study assesses the health of paramedics in Jeddah, focusing on their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included fieldwork paramedics in Jeddah through an online survey distributed on social media. With a response rate of 86.09%, 192 complete responses were analyzed. Outcomes included mental health, mood and somatic effect, self-esteem, and sleep.

Results: Most participants were males (83.85%), married (50%), non-heavy smokers (51.04%), and non-alcohol drinkers (51.04%). A significant number reported health-related work or daily life difficulties, with 62.5%-67.18% attributing these to physical and emotional issues, respectively. Over half rated their mental health as poor or somewhat poor, impacting their relationships significantly. Additionally, 70.31% frequently felt anger, and many faced limitations in physical activities. About 14.58% had a prior mental illness diagnosis, with nearly a quarter on medication, and 61.98% had recently sought psychiatric help. Sleep deprivation affected 61.98%, with 38.53% reporting poor sleep quality.

Conclusions: The findings highlight the negative impact on paramedics' mental health, showing a substantial diagnosis rate of mental disorders, activity limitations, negative mood, and relationship issues. Despite significant sleep problems, a positive aspect is their proactive psychiatric help-seeking behavior.