The Problem Drinking and Related Factors in Female Firefighters / 대한산업의학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate problem drinking and analyze factors associated with alcohol use among female firefighters, as well as to provide useful data for management of alcohol use by female firefighters. METHODS: The study includeed 1,587 female firefighters from throught Koea. Data were collected from June to July in 2008 using self-administered questionnaires including a general questionnaire, work related questionnaire, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Korean Occupational Stress Scale Short Form (KOSS-26), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD). Among 1,263 female firefighters (75.6%) surveyed, the results of 1,084 qualified questionnaires (70.5%) were analyzed using the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of problem drinking (AUDIT score > or =8) in female firefighters was 12.5%. Multiple logistic analysis showed that being single, smoking and depression were correlated with problem drinking. Single female firefighter, present smokers and individuals positive for symptoms of depression had OR values of 2.11, 17.58 and 1.76, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Three factors were found to influnce the occurrence of problem drinking. Accordingly, smoking related education, counseling to cope effectively with depression and health promotion programs that consider psychological effects of job stress are needed to reduce work related factors that lead to problem drinking by female firefighters.