Daytime sleepiness among Midwestern firefighters. Issue 7 (17th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shi, Yihe; Bender, Bridget; McGovern, Patricia; Jung, Eun Mi; DeMoulin, Douglas; Jacobs, Samuel; Prichard, J. Roxanne; Kim, Hyun
• Is Part Of: Archives of environmental & occupational health. Volume 76:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: 433
• Page End: 440
• Publication Date: 2021-11-17
• Subjects: Daytime sleepiness -- firefighters -- sleep quality; Medicine, Preventive -- Periodicals; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational diseases -- Periodicals; Environmental Health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2020.1841718
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1933-8244

Abstract

Abstract: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is the most common symptom of sleep-disorders. Although high levels of EDS have been reported among firefighters, there is a limited understanding on EDS in firefighters. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in full-time firefighters ( n = 275). The survey included the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to assess EDS, as well as other questions related to job characteristics, health history, and demographics. Firefighters reported inadequate sleep hours, extremely short sleep latencies, and high EDS higher than the general population. A majority of firefighters indicated a willingness to consult with a sleep professional. Risk factors associated with EDS included at least five years of professional experiences and depression diagnosis. Our findings suggest that EDS is widespread among firefighters. With increasing time on the job, frequencies of both obesity and EDS increase, which can have severe and compounding effects on health and safety.