EVALUATION OF PTSD IN SARDASHT SURVIVORS OF CHEMICAL WARFARE.

The chemical victims exposed by traumatic events may suffer post trauma stress disorder (PTSD). The present study aims to evaluate PTSD prevalence and severity among Sardasht chemical warfare victims two decades after exposure in Iraq-Iran war. Materials & Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 150 chemical warfare victims of Sardasht city were compared in self-reported post trauma stress disorder (PTSD) signs prevalence with 156 ordinary people as control group. PTSD was assessed by applying Mississippi and PCL questionnaires in both groups. Results: The prevalence and severity of PTSD in chemical warfare victims were sensibly more than the control group. (P < 0.05) Morbidity percentage, having job or not, graduate degree and the number of children were not meaningful correlation with rate of PTSD (p > 0.05). Conclusion: high prevalence of PTSD in chemical warfare victims is show that psychological and psychiatric services were necessary for them.