Factors Related to Sleep Disorders among Male Firefighters

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with sleep disorders in male firefighters working in a metropolitan city in South Korea. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires including the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form, Psychosocial Well-Being Index-Short Form, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, and Beck-Depression Inventory-2 as well as surveys collecting socio-demographic characteristics and work-related factors were given to 730 male firefighters. After exclusion for missing data, 657 male firefighters were included, and logistic regression analysis adjusted for the work-related factors, psychosocial factors, and general risk factors were used to assess the relationship between sleep disorders and associated factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of sleep disorders was 48.7%. Shift work (adjusted OR 1.58, 95% CI = 1.02-2.45), musculoskeletal symptoms (adjusted OR 2.89, 95% CI = 2.02-4.14), and depression (adjusted OR 7.04 95% CI = 4.03-12.30) were associated with sleep disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal symptoms, shift work, and depression are associated with sleep disorders. Integrated health management is needed to promote good sleep quality among firefighters.

The Relationship between the Korean Occupational Stress Scale and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness among Male Firefighters / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relationship between job stress and the common carotid intima-media thickness as an indicator of atherosclerosis (cardiovascular disease) among male firefighters in a metropolitan city. METHODS: Between November and December 2011, a total of 838 participants were analyzed using a questionnaire, which included the participants' general characteristics, job-related factors, health-related behaviors, and job stress. Job stress was measured using the Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form (KOSS-SF). The job stress data was merged with the clinical laboratory data and common carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) by a medical examination. The relationship between job stress and the CIMT was examined by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for the general and cardiovascular risk factors revealed, the organizational system (adjusted OR 1.381 95% CI=1.005~1.898) to be associated with the right CIMT. Multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for general and cardiovascular risk factors and job types, the occupational climate (adjusted OR 1.392, 95% CI=1.009~1.922) was also associated with the right CIMT. CONCLUSIONS: The level of job stress, particularly in regard to the organizaional system, shows a correlation with the right CIMT. Therefore, further preventive efforts and studies of firefighters will be needed to reduce job stress and help prevent cardiovascular disease.