A Study on Work-Related Injuries and Its Association with Sleep Quality and Other Related Factors Among Firefighters in the District of Kollam, Kerala.

BACKGROUND

Firefighters perform high-risk, physically demanding duties with irregular hours and disrupted sleep, increasing injury risk. This study assessed the burden of work-related injuries and their association with sleep quality among firefighters in Kollam, Kerala.

METHODOLOGY: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2024 to November 2025 among 106 firefighters from all 11 Fire and Rescue stations, selected by simple random sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2021 and JAMOVI 2.5.4.

RESULT: Among 106 male firefighters (median age 39; IQR 37-43), 76.4% were married, 62.3% graduates, and 70.8% upper socioeconomic class. Alcohol use (29.2%), and smoking (17%) were reported; all used personal protective equipment (PPE) and 66% had normal body mass index (BMI). Participants worked ≥72 hours weekly with daily physical training. Weekly hazardous exposure was reported by 41.5% and related health problems by 53.8%. Work-related injuries occurred in 39.6%, mostly mild (61.9%) and limb-related (50%), commonly during fire and rescue operations, with fatigue as the leading contributor (40.5%). Poor sleep quality (55.7%) showed a significant association with injury (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Work-related injuries are common among firefighters and are strongly associated with poor sleep quality. Optimizing duty schedules, strengthening workplace safety, and promoting sleep health may help reduce injuries.