Interventions psychotraumatisantes chez les ramasseurs de blessés : déterminants du stress post-traumatique chez les sapeurs-pompiers de Lomé

Abstract

PurposeThe general objective was to evaluate the factors influencing the onset of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in firefighters in Lomé. MethodThis was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study of the case-control and content analysis of the discourse relating to firefighters and their experience in the face of psychotraumatic interventions in Lomé. This study was carried out from June 1 to 14, 2021. Two groups were formed: one group consisted of firefighters who presented with PTSD defined by a score greater than 51 on the QSPT with the presence of the 8 DSM V criteria; a control group made up of firefighters who did not present with PTSD. One case was matched to a control. ResultsThe firefighters were divided into 2 groups depending on whether or not they had presented with PTSD; hence 40 cases were matched to 40 controls. The male gender predominated in the case group at 75%; as in the control group, at 77.5%. The M/F sex ratio was 3/1 in the cases. Overall, the mean age was 32.4±6.1 years. With respect to personal vulnerability, being conscientious, perfectionist, they had probabilities P=0 each and ORs respectively equal to 21.3 [2.3–10.4] and 6.2 [1.4–5]. Those who demonstrated a reluctance to make requests, fear of being criticized, and excessive submission to others had probabilities P=0.0003 [1.3–4.9], P=0.0009 [1.3–5.6] and P=0 respectively, 0001 [1.4–4.9]. In terms of those experiencing trauma, both the feeling of a loss of control and that of being alone in facing situations constituted a significant risk for the onset of PTSD with P=0 and OR=21 [2.3–10.4]; P=0.0001 and OR=6.4 [1.4–4.3] respectively. In others, the desire to leave the profession, emotional exhaustion and alcohol consumption after the intervention constituted a significant risk factor in the occurrence of PTSD. ConclusionThe fact of being conscientious, with a feeling of loss of control during interventions, associated with the desire to leave the profession were the main risk factors linked to the occurrence of PTSD.