Post traumatic stress disorder among motor vehicle accident survivors attending the orthopaedic and trauma clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi

Abstract

IV). Results: The mean age was 34.63 ± 12.71 years (range 18-65). Overall, the prevalence rate of PTSD was 13.3%. None of the cases had been previously diagnosed as having PTSD. Females had a higher rate of 17.9% (n = 67), compared to the males 11.7% (n=197). The majority of those with PTSD (42.9%) were young, 20-29 years. Other risk factors were having post-primary education (62.9%), experiencing the first motor vehicle accident (14.1%), previous psychiatric illness, and other medical illnesses. The type of accident, role/status and immediate reactions to the accident were not significant. Conclusions: PTSD following motor vehicle accidents is common. Although the MVA survivors do develop significant rates of PTSD, it is not easy to identify those at risk but some of the parameters documented in this study may help. A multi disciplinary approach is therefore essential in the management of the RTA survivors at the orthopaedic and trauma clinics if their physical and psychological needs are to be adequately addressed

The role of social support in the relationship between mental health and posttraumatic stress disorder amongst orthopaedic patients

“…The current results replicate prior findings on the positive association between mental health and PTSD after injury (Lilly et al 2009;Mayou et al 2002;Ongecha-Owuor et al 2004;Richmond et al 2011;Rusch 1998;).…”

“…Brewin et al (2000, in Elwood et al 2009 found that female gender, lower socioeconomic status, less education, lower intelligence and childhood adversity were weak predictors of PTSD. Several of the studies conducted on PTSD and orthopaedic or physical traumas are on motor vehicle accident (MVA) victims (Rusch 1998;Mayou, Ehlers & Bryant 2002;Ongecha-Owuor et al 2004). The prevalence rate of PTSD following MVAs varies widely depending on the methodology and the population that was studied.…”

Study of Psychiatry Morbidity Following Traumatic Long Bone Injury

“…In the present study only one patient (1%) had PTSD; this finding was not in accordance with various western studies which reported prevalence of PTSD 8.3%-51% [13][14][15][16][17][18] . In the present study, axis I psychiatric diagnosis was found more in males 60.6%.…”

Epidemiological Patterns of Anxiety Disorders in Kenya

“…The level of PTSD among motor vehicle accident survivors attending the orthopaedic and trauma clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital has been shown to be 13.3%. This is familiar to the 7%-39% PTSD rate found in the developed world [29]. Ongecha in this study identified some risk factors associated with PTSD such as younger age (20 to 39 years), being female, previously married for women and currently married for men, of post-primary education, being a driver, being involved in first accident, and perceived threat of a life at a time of accident especially the thought of being www.intechopen.com maimed [29].…”

“…This is familiar to the 7%-39% PTSD rate found in the developed world [29]. Ongecha in this study identified some risk factors associated with PTSD such as younger age (20 to 39 years), being female, previously married for women and currently married for men, of post-primary education, being a driver, being involved in first accident, and perceived threat of a life at a time of accident especially the thought of being www.intechopen.com maimed [29]. Being previously married (widowed/divorced) is a major life event that can lead to PTSD, predisposing one to develop PTSD with a subsequent trauma.…”