Abstract

Background: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are one of the major concerns in the world. RTAs result in negative outcomes both psychologically and physically. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most important psychological outcomes of RTAs, and it can result in long-lasting negative impacts and consequences. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of PTSD after Road Traffic Accident at King AbdulAziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: This cross sectional included the records of patients who experienced RTAs and were admitted to King AbdulAziz Medical City in Riyadh during the period from January 2013 to January 2016. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program version 23.
Results: There were 387 medical records of RTAs survivors included in this study. The mean ± SD age of the patients was 36 ± 17 years old. There were 92% Saudi individuals and 84% males. The prevalence of PTSD after motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) was 0.8%. Gender, age, and nationality didn’t affect the prevalence of PTSD after MVA; p-value 0.06, 0.41, and 0.8 for gender, age groups, and nationality, respectively.
Conclusion: The prevalence of PTSD after a road traffic accident was 0.8%, also the study didn’t find any association between gender, age, and nationality with PTSD after MVA.

Key words: Prevalence, PTSD, road traffic, Saudi Arabia