Assessment of risks of post-traumatic stress disorder among Ukrainian military personnel as a component of public health preservation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31073/onehealthjournal2025-I-03Keywords:
public health, prevalence of PTSD, mental health, comorbidities, quality of lifeAbstract
The paper is focused on exploring the potential impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among combatants on the national public health system. It utilizes scientific statistical data on the prevalence of PTSD symptoms among military personnel who have participated in armed conflicts worldwide over the past 50 years. For a deeper analysis of PTSD's potential influence on Ukraine's public health system, the research examines scientific data on major somatic and mental health disorders triggered by PTSD among military personnel. The study highlights the association between PTSD in combatants and the development of comorbid conditions such as depression, substance dependency, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. PTSD is identified as a key risk factor that should be accounted for when planning medical and preventive measures for Ukraine's Defense Forces. The article also analyzes global trends in the declining quality of life among military personnel due to reduced material and functional capabilities. It provides data on the direct and indirect costs of treatment and rehabilitation for PTSD and its associated comorbidities. Furthermore, the article discusses PTSD's impact on self-actualization abilities, such as education, employment, job retention, and interpersonal communication. These effects, resulting from PTSD's disruption of various aspects of life, inevitably lead to negative consequences and a sharp decline in the quality of life for affected individuals.
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