REPERCUSSIONS OF NIGHT SHIFT WORK ON NURSING PROFESSIONALS' HEALTH AND SLEEP QUALITY

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the association between sleep quality, health symptoms and the physical, psychological and social effects of work in Nursing professionals working the night shift. Method: a cross-sectional study conducted with Nursing professionals working the night shift of a hospital institution. The instruments used were a socio-occupational and health symptoms questionnaire, the Assessment Scale for Work-Related Harms, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Data were collected between September 2017 and April 2018.The analysis was performed by means of descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: a total of 139 workers took part in the study and a statistical difference was identified between poor sleep quality and the female gender and physical illness variables and health symptoms such as appetite disorder, sensation of indigestion, flatulence, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, unhappiness, sensation of decreased self-esteem and mood lability. Conclusion: it was verified that Nursing professionals working the night shift experienced poor sleep quality, and that this relationship exerts an impact on physical, psychological and social health. Interventions targeted at raising awareness about sleep hygiene can promote better outcomes in these individuals' health.