Detrimental Effects of Variable Work Shifts on Quality of Sleep, General Health and Work Performance

Oct 7, 2008Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre

How Changing Work Shifts Harm Sleep, Health, and Job Performance

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Abstract

Workers on 8-hour variable shifts reported higher rates of heavy smoking (p < 0.003) and poor sexual performance (p < 0.0001) compared to those on fixed daytime shifts.

Variable-shift workers experienced persistent sleep disturbances across multiple dimensions (p < 0.0001).
These workers had significantly more complaints of fatigue (p < 0.005) and poor work performance (p < 0.005).
Increased job stress was reported by variable-shift workers (p < 0.0001).
They were more prone to making errors and accidents at work (p < 0.0001).
Variable-shift workers had a higher likelihood of reporting absence from work (p < 0.005).

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OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the detrimental effects of working a varying pattern of 8-hour shifts on quality of sleep, general health and work performance.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The Arabic version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)and 2 self-administered questionnaires were used to assess quality of sleep, work performance and general health in a sample of 200 males on a schedule of varying 8-hour shifts at the Kuwait Oil Company. A matched sample of an equal number of workers on a fixed daytime shift as a control group was enrolled in the study.

RESULTS: Compared with men working on a straight daytime shift schedule, those working on 8-hour variable shifts exhibited higher rates of heavy smoking (p < 0.003), coffee/tea consumption (p < 0.0001), constipation (p < 0.002), job stress (p < 0.0001) and poor sexual performance (p < 0.0001). Variable-shift workers reported persistent sleep disturbances in 3 dimensions of the global score of the PSQI (p < 0.0001). They also had significantly more complaints of fatigue (p < 0.005), poor level of work performance (p < 0.005) and loss of concentration (p < 0.005). Shift workers were significantly more prone to making errors and having accidents at work, and were more likely to report absence from work than the controls (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.005, respectively).

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the majority of workers on an 8-hour variable-shift schedule experienced various health problems, poor quality of sleep and an increased risk for errors and accidents at work as compared with those workers on a straight daytime shift schedule. There is a need to compare potential benefits of an alternative work shift schedule.

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Detrimental Effects of Variable Work Shifts on Quality of Sleep, General Health and Work Performance

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