The effect of night shift work on health of healthcare workers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2478/AMB-2024-0055Keywords:
night shift work, long working hours, healthcare workers, chronic diseases, sleep, behavioral risks factorsAbstract
Objectives: Night shift work and long working hours are associated with increased health risk. The aim of the study was to follow the effects of night shift work on morbidity of hospital healthcare workers (HCWs), determinants of ill health and mediating factors. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional anonymous survey, comprising 2,690 HCWs and including information on individual and behavioral variables, working hours, shift system, and sleep quality was carried out. The health status questionnaire included a list
of 13 groups of diseases. Results: Great proportion of the studied HCWs had night shifts, often 12-hour and long working hours weekly. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were with the highest prevalence, followed by digestive and endocrine diseases. The proportion of chronic diseases was higher with ex-night and night shift workers, reaching statistical significance for CVDs. Odd ratios (OR) showed increased risk of CVDs (OR = 1.98; p < 0.01), endocrine, digestive, mental and malignant diseases with night work. Sleep quality index was statistically significantly associated with CVDs, endocrine and digestive diseases and mental illness, and higher BMI – with CVDs and endocrine diseases. In conclusion, our data confirmed the increased health risk in HCWs, working night shifts and long working hours, especially for CVDs, with a mediating effect of their sleep quality.
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