ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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Year : 2018 | Volume
: 22
| Issue : 1 | Page : 29-34 |
Effect of shift work on sleep, health, and quality of life of health-care workers
Evangelia Nena1, Maria Katsaouni2, Paschalis Steiropoulos3, Evangelos Theodorou4, Theodoros C Constantinidis1, Grigorios Tripsianis4
1 Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece 2 Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection; Master of Science (M.Sc.) Program in Sleep Medicine, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece 3 Master of Science (M.Sc.) Program in Sleep Medicine, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece 4 Laboratory of Medical Statistics, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Evangelia Nena Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis Greece
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijoem.IJOEM_4_18
Background: Shift work is associated with sleep disruption, impaired quality of life, and is a risk factor for several health conditions. Aim of this study was to investigate the impact of shift work on sleep and quality of life of health-care workers (HCW). Settings: Tertiary University hospital in Greece. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: Included were HCW, working either in an irregular shift system or exclusively in morning shifts. All participants answered the WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5) and a questionnaire on demographics and medical history. Shift workers filled the Shift Work Disorders Screening Questionnaire (SWDSQ). Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics, Student's t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson's r correlation coefficient, and multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis were applied. Results: Included were 312 employees (87.9% females), 194 working in irregular shift system and 118 in morning shifts. Most shift-workers (58.2%) were somehow or totally dissatisfied with their sleep quality. Regression analysis revealed the following independent determinants for sleep impairment: parenthood (P < 0.001), age 36–45 years (P < 0.001), >3 night shifts/week (P < 0.001), work >5 years in an irregular shift system (P < 0.001). Diabetes mellitus was the most common medical condition reported by shift workers (P = 0.008). Comparison between the two groups revealed a significantly impairment in WHO-5 total score, as well as in 4 of 5 of its items (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Shift-work impairs quality of life, whereas its duration and frequency, along with age and family status of employees can have adverse effects on sleep.
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