Use of health care and drugs by police officers 8.5 years after the air disaster in Amsterdam

Eur J Public Health. 2008 Feb;18(1):92-4. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckm078. Epub 2007 Jul 20.

Abstract

This study examined the use of health care by police officers after the air disaster in Amsterdam. On average 8.5 years post-disaster, involved police officers (n = 834, who reported disaster-related tasks), and their non-involved colleagues (n = 634) completed questionnaires on disaster involvement and health care in the preceding 12 months. Logistic regression showed that involved police officers more often used drugs on their own initiative, sleeping pills or tranquillisers, and consulted a general practitioner or medical specialist, a paramedical specialist, and a privately practicing psychologist or psychiatrist. Thus, even after years, police officers involved in disaster work may use more self-initiated health care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Aviation*
  • Attitude to Health
  • Female
  • Hazardous Substances / poisoning
  • Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Netherlands
  • Occupational Diseases / drug therapy
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology
  • Occupational Diseases / therapy*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects
  • Police*
  • Psychotropic Drugs / therapeutic use
  • Rescue Work*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / drug therapy
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / etiology
  • Stress, Psychological / drug therapy
  • Stress, Psychological / etiology

Substances

  • Hazardous Substances
  • Psychotropic Drugs