Prevalence and associated factors of post traumatic stress disorder among ambulance personnel, Kampala, Uganda.

Abstract

Background: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can result from exposure to traumatic incidents, particularly among Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. These individuals, especially ambulance workers, face high risk due to repeated exposure to traumatic events such as road traffic accidents, violence, and mass casualties. While international studies have documented PTSD prevalence in EMS workers, there is limited empirical data specific to Uganda, despite the country’s growing trauma burden. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PTSD and associated risk factors among ambulance personnel in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among ambulance workers operating in Kampala. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Descriptive statistics, bi-variate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with PTSD. Results: Among the 121 ambulance personnel studied, 27 (22.3%) were found to have post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), based on PCL-5 scores ≥33. Key factors significantly associated with PTSD included profession and family history of mental illness. Emergency medical technicians/paramedics had 85% lower odds of PTSD compared to ambulance drivers (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03–0.68, p = 0.040). Personnel with a family history of psychiatric illness had a 5.3-fold higher odds of PTSD (AOR = 5.33, 95% CI: 1.14–24.86, p = 0.033). Conclusion: PTSD is prevalent among ambulance personnel in Kampala and is driven by occupational, personal, and organizational factors. These findings highlight the urgent need for structured mental health support, policy-level interventions, and workforce protections tailored to the Ugandan EMS context.