title: Who is going to rescue the rescuers? Post-traumatic stress disorder among rescue workers operating in Greece during the European refugee crisis.
abstract: During the European refugee crisis, numerous Greek and international rescue workers are operating in Lesvos, offering search, rescue, and first aid services. Exposure to stressful life events while engaging in this rescue work can result in developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The study aimed to assess the prevalence of PTSD and explore potential differences between different categories of rescuers.
  
  
  
  A cross-sectional study was conducted among 217 rescue workers. Participants were grouped according to affiliation: "Greek Professionals Rescuers/GPR", "International Professionals Rescuers/IPR" and "Volunteer Rescuers/VR". The PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) was utilized. All tests were two-tailed (a = 0.05). Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and multivariate logistic regression were performed.
  
  
  
  Overall probable PTSD prevalence found was 17.1%. Rates varied significantly per rescuer's category; 23.1% in GPR, 11.8% in IPR, and 14.6% in VR (p = 0.02). GPR demonstrated the highest risk compared to IPR and VR (p < 0.001). Females had approximately two times higher risk. Other significant risk factors included marital status, age, and number of children. Lack of previous experience, longer operation period, longer shift hours, and handling dead refugees and dead children were also considered major risk factors.
  
  
  
  Rescue workers providing substantial aid to the refugees and migrants at Lesvos experience significant psychological distress. The present findings indicate the urgent need for targeted interventions. Further studies are needed to address long-term effects of the refugee crisis on rescuers, and explore effective measures to prevent PTSD.
authors: Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Office 4D10, P.O. Box: 2208, 71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. spdimi11@gmail.com.
authors: Dimitra
authors: D
authors: Sifaki-Pistolla
authors: Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Office 4D10, P.O. Box: 2208, 71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors: Vasiliki-Eirini
authors: VE
authors: Chatzea
authors: Department of Sociology, University of the Aegean, Mytilene, Lesbos, Greece.
authors: Sofia-Aikaterini
authors: SA
authors: Vlachaki
authors: University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors: Evangelos
authors: E
authors: Melidoniotis
authors: Health Region of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.|Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors: Georgia
authors: G
authors: Pistolla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012036:Refugees; D018635:Rescue Work; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014838:Volunteers / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: PTSD; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Prevalence; Refugee crisis; Rescue workers