A cross sectional study of quality of sleep, burnouts, anxiety and depression in rotatory shift workers of sir T Hospital Bhavnagar

Abstract

Introduction: Rotatory shift work is quite prevalent in the general population. The knowledge that effect does not depend on a single cause, but rather, diseases are multifactorial in origin, resulting in widespread interest towards the preventive aspect and focussing on the causative factors that directly or indirectly influence the health and well-being of shift workers. Materials and Methods: We analysed data from an observational, cross-sectional, single-centred, interview-based study of a total of 100 shift workers working in Sir T Hospital in Bhavnagar conducted from July 2020 to December 2021. The study was performed via face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires. We used the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) to evaluate sleep quality. To diagnose depression, anxiety and burnout, we used the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Copenhagen burnout inventory (CBI), respectively. Statistical data were analysed using R software version 4.0.5 (R Development Core Team, Vienna, Austria). Results: A total of 100 participants were interviewed. The respondents are almost symmetric in terms of male and female, married and unmarried and rural and urban residence. The mean age of our sample is 36.98 ± 9.37 years. Around 15% of participants showed moderate/severe levels of depression (18%) and moderate/severe levels of anxiety (9%) using HAM-D and HAM-A, respectively. Using CBI subscales, 27% of respondents showed personal burnout, 54% showed work-related burnout and 20% showed client-related burnout. Sleep quality was poor among shift workers (45%) using the PSQI scale. Significant positive correlations are found between HAM D and personal burnout (r = 0.206, P = 0.040), work burnout with personal burnout (r = 0.243, P = 0.015) and client burnout (r = 0.246, P = 0.013). Furthermore, personal and client burnout shows a positive correlation (r = 0.271, P = 0.006). Although these correlations are still significant, they indicate low positive nature of the relationship between such variables. Conclusion: The prevalence of depression, anxiety, burnout and poor sleep quality was high. The effect on shift work mental health is multifaceted, dealing with several aspects of personal characteristics and working and living conditions. Further research is needed to support the mental well-being of shift workers and minimise workplace-related psychiatric disorders by developing short- and long-term strategies.