Shift Work Disorder and Related Health Problems Among Nurses in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Comparative Study
Main Article Content
Keywords
Health problems among nurses, nurses, shift work disorder
Abstract
Shift Work Disorder (SWD) is a sleep disorder characterized by sleepiness and insomnia, attributed to work schedules. Understanding the mechanisms behind shift work-related health problems is crucial for managing schedules, employment, treatment, and employee selection. Objective: To assess SWD prevalence and related health problems among nurses in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Simple random sampling selected 130 nurses. Written consent was obtained, and structured interviews using the Standard Shift Work Index and Bergen Shift Work Sleep Questionnaire (BSWSQ) were conducted. Results: The mean age of the nurses was 27.4 ± 2.64 years. SWD prevalence was 43.07%. Common complaints included headache (60.0%), back pain (57.6%), gastritis (32.3%), and menstrual disorders (30.0%). Anxiety and depression were found in 17.6% and 23.8% of participants, respectively. SWD was significantly associated with increasing age, more nights worked per year, and longer working hours. 53.8% of nurses had sleep problems according to the BSWSQ. Conclusion: The study highlights a high prevalence of SWD and associated health problems among nurses, emphasizing the need for interventions such as behavioral changes, rotating shifts, and treatment.
References
2. Tankha G. A comparative study of role stress in government and private hospital nurses. J Health Manag. 2006;8:11–22.
3. Parent-Thirion A, Ferna’ndez EM, Hurley J, Vermeylen G. Fourth European Working Conditions Survey. Dublin: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions; 2007. p. 7.
4. Härmä M, Kecklund G. Shift work and health – how to proceed? Scand J Work Environ Health. 2010;36:81–4.
5. International classification of sleep disorders, revised: Diagnostic and coding manual (ICSD-2) Westchester, IL: American Academy of Sleep Medicine; 2005. American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) p. 121.
6. Flo E, Pallesen S, Magerøy N, Moen BE, Grønli J, Hilde Nordhus I, et al. Shift work disorder in nurses--assessment, prevalence and related health problems. PLoS One. 2012;7:e33981.
7. Saksvik IB, Bjorvatn B, Hetland H, Sandal GM, Pallesen S. Individual differences in tolerance to shift work – A systematic review. Sleep Med Rev. 2011;15:221–35.
8. Sack RL, Auckley D, Auger RR, Carskadon MA, Wright KP, Jr, Vitiello MV, et al. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Circadian rhythm sleep disorders: Part I, basic principles, shift work and jet lag disorders. An American Academy of Sleep Medicine review. Sleep. 2007;30:1460–83.
9. Muecke A study of the social support and job stress among nursing staff. VGH Nursing. 2005;2:59–68.
10. Newey CA, Hood BM. Determinants of shift-work adjustment for nursing staff: The critical experience of partners. J Prof Nurs. 2004;20:187–95.