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

Introduction: 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.

Objective: 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.

Materials and methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: 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.