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Work-, lifestyle-, and health-related factors among women and men working in the emergency medical services
Jönköping University, School of Health and Welfare, HHJ, Department of Nursing Science. Jönköping University, School of Health and Welfare, The Jönköping Academy for Improvement of Health and Welfare.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4729-4635
Jönköping University, School of Health and Welfare, HHJ, Department of Rehabilitation.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7964-7143
Jönköping University, School of Health and Welfare, HHJ, Department of Nursing Science. Linkoping Univ Hosp, Dept Clin Neurophysiol, Linkoping, Sweden..ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1884-5696
Jönköping University, School of Health and Welfare, HHJ, Department of Clinical Diagnostics. Jönköping University, School of Health and Welfare, HHJ. Studies on Integrated Health and Welfare (SIHW).ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9042-4832
2024 (English)In: International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, ISSN 1080-3548, E-ISSN 2376-9130, Vol. 30, no 2, p. 651-661Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objectives. This study aimed to describe work-, lifestyle-, and health-related factors among ambulance personnel, and to analyse differences between women and men.

Methods. The cross-sectional study (N = 106) included self-reported and objective measures of work, lifestyle, and health in 10 Swedish ambulance stations. The data collection comprised clinical health examination, blood samples, tests of physical capacity, and questionnaires.

Results. A high proportion of the ambulance personnel reported heavy lifting, risk of accidents, threats and violence at work. A low level of smoking and alcohol use, and a high level of leisure-time physical activity were reported. The ambulance personnel had, on average, good self-rated health, high work ability and high physical capacity. However, the results also showed high proportions with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), e.g., high blood pressure, and high levels of blood lipids. More women than men reported high work demands. Furthermore, women performed better in tests of physical capacity and had a lower level of CVD risk factors.

Conclusions. Exposure to work-related factors that might affect health was common among ambulance personnel. Lifestyle- and health-related factors were somewhat contradictory, with a low proportion reporting lifestyle-related risk factors, but a high proportion having risk factors for CVD.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis, 2024. Vol. 30, no 2, p. 651-661
Keywords [en]
clinical examination, cardiovascular disease risk, emergency medical services, physical capacity, questionnaire, work environment
National Category
Occupational Health and Environmental Health
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-64082DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2024.2332115ISI: 001204971000001PubMedID: 38632949Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85190968656Local ID: HOA;;949373OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hj-64082DiVA, id: diva2:1855358
Available from: 2024-04-30 Created: 2024-04-30 Last updated: 2024-11-28Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Working in the Swedish ambulance service – a multifaceted picture in relation to health
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Working in the Swedish ambulance service – a multifaceted picture in relation to health
2024 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

This thesis in health and care sciences focuses on factors related to working in the ambulance service and their association with health.

For patients in need of emergency medical care outside healthcare facilities, ambulance personnel are, following the dispatch centre, the first link in the chain to providing good health and care on equal terms for the entire population, in accordance with the Health and Medical Services Act. Registered nurses and emergency medical technicians in the ambulance service provide advanced prehospital care that is available around the clock. The job includes several factors that may negatively affect health, such as shift work, long work hours, heavy lifting, sedentary work, stress, and the risk of exposure to threats and violence. Previous research suggests that this occupational group may be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, mental health issues, and musculoskeletal disorders; however, the evidence is limited.

The overall aim of this thesis was to describe and analyse work- and leisure-related factors and their association with health among ambulance personnel.

To achieve the overall aim of this thesis, four studies with quantitative designs were conducted (Papers I-IV). Ambulance personnel from an ambulance service in the south of Sweden were invited to participate. Paper I (n=106) described work-, lifestyle-, and health-related factors among ambulance personnel, using health examinations, blood samples, questionnaires, and physical capacity tests. Paper II (n=79) analysed hair cortisol levels as an indicator of long-term stress and their relationship to work factors, using hair samples and questionnaires. Paper III (n=63) described and analysed patterns of physical behaviours using accelerometry and questionnaires. Paper IV analysed blood pressure variation using ambulatory monitoring and questionnaires. Additionally, Papers I, II, and IV described and analysed differences between women and men, and Papers III and IV analysed associations with different work shifts.

The main findings in this thesis indicate that ambulance personnel were exposed to several work-related factors which could negatively impact health, such as physically demanding work, psychosocial demands (for example work stress and risk of threats and violence), and shift work. Despite this, the participants reported overall good self-rated health, high self-rated work ability, high physical capacity, a high level of physical activity during leisure time, and few other lifestyle-related risk factors. However, the findings identified a high prevalence of hypertension, elevated cholesterol levels, and high body mass index among the ambulance personnel. A larger proportion of women, compared to men, reported physically demanding work; however, women performed better in the physical capacity tests and had lower ambulatory blood pressure than men. Different shift types did not appear to affect the pattern of physical behaviours.

The findings in this thesis can be related to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework for healthy workplaces comprising the physical and psychosocial work environment and personal health resources. Indirectly, the thesis also relates to the fourth area, which includes interaction with the surrounding society.

In conclusion, this thesis presents a multifaceted picture in relation to health for personnel working in the Swedish ambulance service.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Jönköping: Jönköping University, School of Health and Welfare, 2024. p. 132
Series
Hälsohögskolans avhandlingsserie, ISSN 1654-3602 ; 142
Keywords
Ambulance personnel, work conditions, occupational health, leisure, quantitative research, stress, physical behaviour, ambulatory blood pressure
National Category
Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-66706 (URN)978-91-88669-59-9 (ISBN)978-91-88669-60-5 (ISBN)
Public defence
2024-12-20, Forum Humanum, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping, 09:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2024-11-28 Created: 2024-11-28 Last updated: 2024-11-28Bibliographically approved

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Johnsen, AnnaWagman, PetraBroström, AndersFransson, Eleonor I.

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