Probl Hig Epidemiol 2019, 100(2): 89-94pl

Occurrence of sleep disorders among nurses working in shifts

Beata Babiarczyk ^1/, Małgorzata Bujok ^2/

1/ Katedra Pielęgniarstwa, Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu, Akademia Techniczno-Humanistyczna w Bielsku-Białej
2/ Sanatorium i Szpital Uzdrowiskowy Równica w Ustroniu

Summary
Introduction. The nursing profession confronts potential exposure to harmful factors. The health consequences of working in a shift system have become an important part of contemporary research in this area. It is known that shift work negatively affects the circadian rhythm and brings serious effects that appear, among others, in the form of sleep disorders.
Aim. Analysis of the occurrence of sleep disorders in the context of quality and duration of sleep among nurses working in a shift system.
Material & methods. The diagnostic survey method was used, with a questionnaire of the author´s own design and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) as the research tools. The study was carried out in one of the hospitals in Śląskie province, among 100 nurses working at least 6 months in a shift system.
Results. The respondents had worked on average 21.3±11.7 years in a shift system. In terms of sleep hygiene, the majority of respondents were not satisfied with their night rest, and morning wake up was usually associated with feelings of sleepiness and fatigue. Most people had sleep disorders that predicted insomnia (53%) or suffered for insomnia (27%). Age, stressful situations, and the number of night shifts per month directly influence the results of AIS.
Conclusion. Shift work affects the quality of factors related to sleep hygiene, the lifestyle of the subjects, and the occurrence of insomnia symptoms of varying severity. This dependence seems to be bilateral, and in this context it would be advisable to deepen research in this area.

Key words:  sleep disorders, insomnia, shift work, nurses, circadian rhythm