Dados do Trabalho

Título

FATIGUE AND DAYTIME SLEEPINESS AMONG MILITARY FIREFIGHTERS

Introdução

Shift work is common among firefighters due to the on-call system, which can lead to circadian rhythm dysregulation, affecting the production of essential hormones such as melatonin and cortisol. This desynchronization is associated with health problems such as daytime sleepiness and chronic fatigue, which compromise firefighters' safety and performance, increasing the risk of accidents. It is therefore essential to investigate the presence of these symptoms in order to develop strategies that promote health and safety at work.

Objetivo

To investigate the presence of daytime sleepiness and fatigue in military firefighters.

Métodos

A cross-sectional study was carried out with military firefighters from the municipalities of Ouro Preto and Mariana, Minas Gerais. Excessive daytime sleepiness was assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), while the presence of fatigue was measured using the Chalder Scale, validated for Brazil, which covers questions related to physical and mental fatigue symptoms.

Resultados

44 military firefighters took part in the study, representing 89.8% of the local population. Of the participants, 24% had excessive daytime sleepiness, while 81.1% reported symptoms of physical and mental fatigue.

Conclusões

The presence of daytime sleepiness and the high prevalence of physical and mental fatigue among military firefighters is worrying, considering that the nature of their activities requires great physical and mental capacity. These findings highlight the need for interventions aimed at sleep management and the health of these professionals, in order to mitigate the adverse effects of shift work and improve quality of life and safety at work.

Palavras -chave

Circadian cycle; Sleep disorders; Fatigue; Military firefighters.