Jitnarin Nattinee, Poston Walker S C, Jahnke Sara A, Haddock Christopher K, Kelley Hannah N
Center for Fire Rescue and EMS Health Research, NDRI - USA, Inc., 1920 West 143rd Street, Suite 120, KS, 66224, USA.
Saf Health Work. 2020 Sep;11(3):284-290. doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2020.04.004. Epub 2020 Apr 21.
Prevalence rates of smokeless tobacco (SLT) use among firefighters are remarkably high and substantially higher than similar occupational groups and the general U.S. population. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of fire service personnel regarding cancer and its associations with tobacco and SLT use.
This descriptive study used a qualitative approach. Key informant interviews were conducted in 39 career firefighters and fire service administration from across the U.S. Discussion were recorded, transcribed verbatim and transferred to NVivo software for narrative analysis. Topics explored included cancer perceptions, attitudes and beliefs, and cultural factors related to SLT use behaviors. Results: Major themes that emerged among fire service personnel included concerns about cancer and its risk factors including firefighting tasks, such as fire overhaul operations, and from their lifestyle behaviors, such as alcohol and tobacco use. Firefighters also suggested a number of reasons for their increased SLT use, such as fire department tobacco-free policy and fire service culture.
The current study provides a rich foundation for future research, prevention, and intervention efforts for the fire service and research communities regarding tobacco and SLT use and cancer risk. Additional research on firefighters' cancer beliefs deserves future research in order to improve messaging about the risks of cancer due to firefighting.
消防员中无烟烟草（SLT）的使用率极高，且显著高于类似职业群体及美国普通人群。本研究旨在探讨消防人员对癌症及其与烟草和无烟烟草使用之间关联的看法。
本描述性研究采用定性方法。对来自美国各地的39名职业消防员和消防部门管理人员进行了关键信息访谈。访谈内容进行了录音、逐字转录，并转移到NVivo软件中进行叙事分析。探讨的主题包括对癌症的认知、态度和信念，以及与无烟烟草使用行为相关的文化因素。结果：消防人员中出现的主要主题包括对癌症及其风险因素的担忧，这些因素包括消防任务，如火灾清理行动，以及他们的生活方式行为，如饮酒和吸烟。消防员还提出了他们增加无烟烟草使用的一些原因，如消防部门的无烟政策和消防文化。
本研究为消防部门和研究界在烟草和无烟烟草使用及癌症风险方面的未来研究、预防和干预工作提供了丰富的基础。关于消防员癌症信念的更多研究值得未来开展，以便改进有关因消防工作导致癌症风险的信息传达。
