Occupational stress and musculoskeletal symptoms in firefighters

Soteriades, Elpidoforos S.; Psalta, Lilia; Leka, Stavroula; Spanoudis, George

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential association between occupational stress and musculoskeletal symptoms in firefighters. Material and Methods: Data were collected among Cypriot firefighters through a battery of adapted questionnaires completed anonymously. Results: A total of 430 firefighters (a response rate of 68%) completed the survey (the age range: 21–60 years). A total of 11% of firefighters reported moderate to extremely severe stress through the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire and Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. A total of 40% of firefighters reported musculoskeletal symptoms, the most frequent being back pain. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models showed that occupational stress was associated with a 50% higher risk of musculoskeletal symptoms in firefighters after adjusting for age, smoking and obesity (OR = 1.52, p = 0.04). In addition, a positive dose-response relationship was found between occupational stress and musculoskeletal symptoms. Conclusions: Occupational stress constitutes a significant risk for firefighters and is associated with higher prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms at work.

Citation

Soteriades, E. S., Psalta, L., Leka, S., & Spanoudis, G. (2019). Occupational stress and musculoskeletal symptoms in firefighters. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 32(3), 341-352. https://doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01268

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 23, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Mar 29, 2019
• Publication Date: Mar 29, 2019
• Deposit Date: Apr 16, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 16, 2019
• Journal: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
• Print ISSN: 1232-1087
• Electronic ISSN: 1896-494X
• Publisher: Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof J. Nofera
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 32
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 341-352
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01268
• Keywords: physical activity; questionnaire survey; work-related stress; firefighters; musculoskeletal disorders; psychosomatic stress
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1813498
• Publisher URL: http://ijomeh.eu/Occupational-Stress-and-Musculoskeletal-Symptoms-in-Firefighters,94554,0,2.html