Download STRATEGIES TO REDUCE POST TRAUMATIC STRESS

STRATEGIES TO REDUCE POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AMONG
HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN THE CASUALTY DEPARTMENT IN KENYATTA
NATIONAL HOSPITAL, NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA
By WAIRIMU MOSES CHIRA, KATHENYA MAGDALENE, MUCHERE GLADWELL
NKIROTE, MAGGIE KALONDU MEKI, NAIMODU EVANS LEPISH, HUSSEIN
RISALA ABDULLAHI, ONG’ANYO DABLINE NANZALA
ABSTRACT
Background: This study was based on the conviction that as the casualties of different tragedies
suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the healthcare workers were too not immune
to this, among other psychotic disorders. The casualty workers dealt with almost all emergency
situations from the disasters that happen countrywide, ranging from bomb blast, grenades, tribal
crashes, tragic accidents, cases of fire, sexual assaults, domestic and other violence, referrals
among others.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to address the research question "what are the best
available and applicable strategies that can be employed in order to reduce the PTSD among the
healthcare workers in the casualty department in Kenyatta national hospital (KNH)?
Design: cross-sectional study.
Settings: Casualty department, Kenyatta national hospital (KNH).
Respondents: The study concentrated more on health care workers in the casualty department.
15 Medical officers and 56 nursing officers who were working in the casualty department
participated in the study.
Method: The study engaged respondents that met the inclusion criteria which was; must have
been a registered Medical officer or Nursing officer who worked at the casualty department. The
instrument used included; social demographic data questionnaire (SDDQ) and self-rating
questionnaire (SRQ). Alongside with the above, years of professional experience and previous
experience with the tragic events were also recorded for better comparison. Diagnosis was made
using the Diagnostic and statistical manual fourth edition (DSM-IV).
Result and conclusion: The prevalence of PTSD among casualty health workers in KNH was
27.8%, of which 35% and 65 % of them were male and female respectively. Majority of them
were nursing officers (80%).Most PTSD positive respondents were in the 30-39 years age
bracket. To add on this, 95.8% of all participants were psychologically affected for caring of
traumatized patients and had at least one symptom of PTSD. Majority of PTSD positive
respondents had a working experience of 1-5 years (75%).
In conclusion this study showed that among other psychiatric morbidities, PTSD exists among
the health care workers. The hospital management also has a significant input to the workers to
reduce the symptoms of PTSD and the need to be aware that the stress disorder exists among its
workers. It was recommended that frequent debriefing, education on psychological trauma
management, employment of more counselors and taking care of the staff welfare would play a
big role in reducing the symptoms for PTSD. However, more research is needed to find out the
needs of the staff from the hospital management to help them live psychologically healthy lives.