Autor(es): Alves, Sara ; Esteves, Filipa ; Silva, Francisca ; Queiroga, Felisbina ; Costa, Solange ; Slezakova, Klara ; Alves, Maria José ; Pereira, Maria do Carmo ; Teixeira, João Paulo ; Morais, Simone ; Vaz, Josiana ; Fernandes, Adília
Data: 2023
Identificador Persistente: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/8901
Origem: Repositório Científico do Instituto Nacional de Saúde
Assunto(s): Firefighters; Occupational Health; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI; Ar e Saúde Ocupacional; Portugal
The aim of this study was to evaluate and describe the overall sleep quality of firefighters. Application of the Portuguese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to firefighters, from the Northeast of Portugal, who accepted to participate in the study. Data collected between June 2021 and July 2022. The PSQI global score classified participants as 36,9% of participants as poor sleepers, although 73,9% of firefighters reported a subjective quality of sleep of “very good” or “good”, with 9,1% recording a “bad” quality of sleep. In particular, among the 273 total of participants, 35,8% of firefighter’s assumed sleeping more than 7 hours, whilst 59,7% have a sleep efficiency of 85%. Nevertheless, 7% of individuals stated difficulties staying awake on some occasions, and/or some degree of unwillingness to carry out daily activities, in addition, 26 participants (9,5% of the cohort) stated ever took medicine to help them sleep over the past month. Results revealed a global PSQI score ranged from 0 to 19, being higher scores indicative of worse quality of sleep. The mean score was 4.6 and the median score was 4, being scores >5 considered as a significant sleep disturbance. The analytical results of this study reveal the presence of concerns related to the quality of sleep in firefighters, although they have a contrary perception, which can compromise their health and well-being. Thus, it is necessary to develop more research and appropriate interventions to optimize firefighters' sleep and reduce subsequent risks.
