Conference paper
THE EFFECT OF SHIFT WORK ON THE OVERALL HEALTH STATUS OF HOSPITAL-EMPLOYED NURSING STAFF IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Ivona Ljevak
; Faculty of Health Studies, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ivana Vasilj
; Faculty of Health Studies, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina ; Faculty of Medicine, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Marijana Neuberg
; University North, University Center Varaždin,Varaždin, Croatia
Josipa Tomić
; Faculty of Health Studies, University of Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tomislav Meštrović
; University North, University Center Varaždin,Varaždin, Croatia; Polyclinic "Dr. Zora Profozić", Zagreb, Croatiać"
Abstract
Background: Nursing is a profession frequently organized around shift work in order to guarantee the continuity of care
throughout the 24 hours. However, working in shifts is coupled with the desynchronization of circadian rhythms and may result in
adverse effects on nurses heath.Our previous work has demonstrated the presence of increased stress levels, reduced coping
abilities and diminished life enjoyment in shift work nurses in comparison to those working only in accordance with the daily
schedule. Here we aimed to appraise the effects of shift work on their overall health status.
Subjects and methods: We used a comparative cross-sectional approach on a sample of 157 hospital nursing professionals at the
University Clinical Hospital Mostar. Study subjects were divided into two groups: a total of 51% study subjects were included in a
specific type of shift work (i.e., 12-hour day shift / 24 hours off / 12-hour night shift / 48 hours off), while the remaining 49%
adhered to the conventional 7-hour daily schedule. The instrument used was a Standard Shiftwork Index (SSI), together with a
comprehensive appraisal of socio-demographic characteristics. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were
applied, and statistical significance was set at p0.05 (two-sided).
Results: The results have shown that nurses in shift work were significantly more burdened with gastrointestinal disturbances
(p<0.001); more specifically, there was a higher frequency of appetite loss (p=0.003), heartburn (p=0.03), nausea (p<0.01) and
weight gain (p=0.05) when compared to nursing professionals in the day shift. Conversely, there were no statistically significant
differences in cardiovascular health between these two groups. In addition, nurses in shift work more frequently presented with
headaches (p=0.001) and varicose veins of lower extremities (p=0.037) in comparison to nurses working only in accordance with
the daily schedule.
Conclusions: Shift work can adversely influence psychophysical homeostasis, resulting not only in substandard performance of
nursing staff, but also potentially hazardous effects on their overall health status. More specifically, we recognized shift work as a
substantial risk factor for gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders in nurses; likewise, the increased prevalence of headaches may
consequently have a detrimental effect on social and family relationships. All of this should be tackled in a holistic and organized
way, together with any additional psychological/sleep issues.
Keywords
shift work; nursing; hospital; health; disease; occupational health
Hrčak ID:
272163
URI
Publication date:
19.10.2021.
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