Details:

Alternative Title:
Ann Work Expo Health
Personal Author:
Scott, Kenneth A. ; Wingate, Kaitlin C. ; DuBose, Kathleen N. ; Butler, Corey R. ; Ramirez-Cardenas, Alejandra ; ... More +
Scott, Kenneth A. ; Wingate, Kaitlin C. ; DuBose, Kathleen N. ; Butler, Corey R. ; Ramirez-Cardenas, Alejandra ; Hale, Christa R. Less -
Description:
Objectives:

Work is an under-recognized social determinant of health. There is limited research describing US wildland firefighter (WFF) workforce demographics or how 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.


Subjects:
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Firefighters Fires Health Behavior Humans Male Occupational Exposure Substance-Related Disorders
Source:
Ann Work Expo Health. 68(2):122-135
Pubmed ID:
38164597
Pubmed Central ID:
PMC10922597
Document Type:
Journal Article
Funding:
CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHSUnited States/
Collection(s):
CDC Public Access
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:531b9007e07086243c26486e3f882542dd78202238a29c79ec6f0282e18c9e4b
File Type:

• Supporting Files:
  No Additional Files

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