Impact of night work on health and work ability among healthcare workers

Abstract

Aim of the study. The study objective was to determine the impact of night work on health and work ability of health workers. Material and methods. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with an anonymous survey questionnaire distributed among 120 health workers employed in PHICGH „8th September“ - Skopje, in the period January-May 2024. The study comprised male and female subjects aged 21 to 62 years, 86.7% of them worked full-time, 60% worked in shifts, 40% worked only in the first shift, while 50% of them also had night shifts. Results. Тhe mean age of examined subjects was 40.9±10.6 years, and the average length of service in the current workplace was 11.8±8.9 years (range 1-42 years). 44.2% of them were active smokers with an average smoking experience of 6.2±9.1 years, while only 2.5% of them drank alcohol daily in an amount greater than one large glass (200 ml) of beer/wine or one small glass (50 ml) of brandy or other strong drink. A significant difference between subjects who worked and those who did not work night shifts was determined for the consumption of alcohol in a larger amount (P=0.030), followed by dissatisfaction with the workplace (P=0.031), as well as in dissatisfaction with life (P=0.042). The majority of subjects believed that psychophysical abilities during and after night work were worse than during day work,66.6% of them answered that they had difficulties in sleeping after night shifts. The frequency of cardiovascular diseases was significantly higher among subjects who worked night shifts compared to those who did not work (P=0.043), together with the frequency of health conditions that require regular medication at a strictly defined time (P=0.037). The average values of current work ability in subjects who worked night shifts and those who did not work night shifts were similar. Conclusion. The results of the study evidently showed a significant impact of night work on health and well-being as well as on work ability of health workers.