title: Frequency of post-traumatic stress disorder among relief force workers after the tsunami in Asia: do rescuers become victims?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the participants of the Turkish Red Crescent Disaster Relief Team after the Tsunami in Asia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale-1 (CAPS-1) was administered to 33 of 36 team members one month after their Disaster Relief Team duty. Along with the CAPS-1 interview, demographic features, profession, previous professional experience, previous experience with traumatic events and disasters also were recorded. To be classified as present, a symptom must have a frequency score of "1" and an intensity score of "2" at the CAPS-1 interview. For a diagnosis of PTSD, at least one re-experiencing, three avoidance and numbing, and two increased arousal symptoms should be present.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PTSD was diagnosed in eight of the 33 (24.2%) participants. No significant difference was detected in the distribution of PTSD diagnosis according to gender, age, profession, professional experience, previous disaster experience, and/or previous experience of traumatic events. However, the severity of PTSD symptoms as measured by the CAPS-1 score was significantly higher in women, nurses, and participants with <3 previous disaster duty experiences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Post-traumatic stress disorder is prevalent within disaster teams and healthcare workers, and measures should be taken to prevent PTSD within this group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Uludag University Medical Faculty, Bursa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erol
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Armagan
authors.forename: Zulfi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Engindeniz
authors.forename: Ali Onder
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Devay
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Erdur
authors.forename: Alis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozcakir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012066:Relief Work; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey