The wildland firefighter exposure and health effect (WFFEHE) study: cohort characteristics and health behavior changes in context.
Ann Work Expo Health
; 68(2): 122-135, 2024 02 20.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38164597
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Work is an under-recognized social determinant of health. There is limited research describing US wildland firefighter (WFF) workforce demographics or how to work associates with WFF health behaviors. In this study researchers characterized a WFF cohort and tested hypotheses that WFFs used tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) differently over the course of the fire season and that different fire crews may exhibit different behavior patterns.METHODS:
Researchers collected data in the field with 6 WFF crews during 2 consecutive fire seasons (2018 and 2019). WFF crews completed questionnaires before and after each season. WFFs with an initial preseason questionnaire and at least 1 follow-up questionnaire were included (n = 138). Descriptive statistics summarized WFFs' baseline demographic, employment, and health characteristics. Linear mixed models were used to test for changes in WFFs' substance use over time and assess crew-level differences. A meta-analysis of WFF longitudinal studies' population characteristics was attempted to contextualize baseline findings.RESULTS:
WFFs were predominately male, less than 35 yr of age, non-Hispanic White, and had healthy weight. Smokeless tobacco use and binge drinking were prevalent in this cohort (52% and 78%, respectively, among respondents). Longitudinal analyses revealed that during the fire season WFFs' use of tobacco and SSBs increased and the number of days they consumed alcohol decreased. Crew-level associations varied by substance. The meta-analysis was not completed due to cross-study heterogeneity and inconsistent reporting.DISCUSSION:
WFF agencies can promote evidence-based substance use prevention and management programs and modify working conditions that may influence WFF stress or substance use.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Health context:
12_ODS3_hazardous_contamination
/
2_ODS3
/
8_ODS3_consumo_sustancias_psicoactivas
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Occupational Exposure
/
Substance-Related Disorders
/
Firefighters
/
Fires
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Ann Work Expo Health
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article