Abstract
Introduction: Chronic exposure to stress significantly affects the deterioration of health. Inrecent years, the occurrence of the COVID-19 epidemic condition, and with it the deterioration of working conditions and the concomitant increase in the number of patients in serious condition, has increased stress in the professional duties as well as in the daily lives of paramedics. The study attempts to analyze selected aspects of the lifestyles of paramedics working in the National Emergency Medical Service system and the impact of the pandemic on their professional and daily lives.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted by means of a questionnaire among 100 active paramedics.
Results: Statistical analysis showed that raters with active lifestyles and high levels of generalized self-efficacy were significantly more likely to consume fruits and vegetables (p < 0.0023, p < 0.0035), dairy products, nuts and almonds (p < 0.018, p < 0.0021), fish (p < 0.0040) and isotonic drinks (p < 0.0001) than raters with low self-efficacy.
Assessment of cigarette smoking (including e-cigarette) indicated that the majority of raters (55%) smoked. In terms of ways of coping with stress, the following ways of relieving tension were identified: smoking (27%), listening to music or watching a movie (23%), physical activity (22%), drinking alcohol after work (19%). An analysis of the IPAQ questionnaire determined a high level of physical activity in 22% of the subjects, a sufficient level in 38%, and an insufficient level in 40%. There was no statistically significant relationship between physical activity and the level of self-generalized efficacy of paramedics (p > 0.05).
Conclusions: The analysis of selected aspects of lifestyle in the study group in relation to sense of generalized self-efficacy showed no significant relationships between self-assessment of health, level of physical activity, and the severity of these behaviors. The dietary assessment showed abnormalities related to infrequent consumption of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish, and frequent consumption of sweets, drinks with high sugar levels.