Drug Discov Ther. 2023;17(1):45-51. (DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2022.01101)

Factors affecting health-related quality of life among firefighters during the COVID-19 pandemic: A single-center study

Shigeno Y, Mori Y, Hotta K, Aoyama Y, Tanaka M, Kozai H, Aoike M, Kawamura H, Tsurudome M, Ito M

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, firefighters have been working in an environment that is both physically and mentally taxing. This study aimed to investigate factors affecting health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among firefighters in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 227 firefighters from a single firefighting organization were surveyed in June 2021, during the fourth infection spread period of COVID-19 in Japan. Regression analysis was performed to examine factors affecting HRQOL of firefighters measured with the SF-8. In the present study, factors affecting HRQOL among firefighters during the COVID-19 pandemic were lack of sleep, physical abnormalities due to infection control measures, exercise habits, living with family members, and history of suspected COVID-19 infection. The present findings may help develop support services for first responders, including firefighters during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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