921集集大地震救災人員在八個月後之創傷後壓力疾患及精神科疾患

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Psychiatric Morbidity in Firefi ghters Eight Months after 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake Rescue Work: A Preliminary Report

目的：救災人員由於處在災難現場以及要面對死傷的場景，因此也成為災難事件的另一 種受害者。本研究將探討參與921 大地震救災的消防隊員發生創傷後壓力疾患及其他精神科 疾患的危險因子及病程。方法：利用自填式問卷來評估317 位參與救災的消防隊員在八個月 後之創傷後壓力疾患及其他精神科疾患。結果：在八個月後之創傷後壓力疾患及精神科疾患 的盛行率分別為19.3% 及 21.7%。發生創傷後壓力疾患的危險因子是家人在地震時受傷及有 發生精神科疾患。結論：救災人員在參與救災行動八個月後仍然有一定比例出現創傷後壓力 疾患及其他精神科疾患，此一現象值得加以重視。

Background: Rescue workers who are exposed to mass destruction and lifethreatening situations may become hidden victims of the disaster. This prospective study aimed to explore the longitudinal course and risk factors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) case and psychiatric morbidity among fi refi ghters responding to the 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake. Method: A total of 317 on-scene rescue workers was sent a self-report questionnaire assessing posttraumatic stress syndromes, psychiatric morbidity, and demographic information eight months following the earthquake, and 161 returned the completed questionnaires with a response rate of 50.8%. Results: The estimated rates of PTSD cases and minor psychiatric morbidity (MPM) were 19.3% and 21.7%, respectively. The risk factors for PTSD case were injury to family members during the earthquake and the existence of MPM. Conclusion: The results of our study revealed that about 1/5 and 1/5 of the fi refi ghters suffered from PTSD cases and MPM, respectively, eight months following the Chi-Chi Earthquake. Exposed disaster workers were at an increased risk of PTSD and other psychiatric morbidities. Those fi ndings suggest the need for a more precise consideration of the psychological consequences and costs of rescue work.