IMPACT OF SHIFT WORK, SLEEP PROBLEMS ON THE OCCUPATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF FACTORY WORKERS.

Introduction: Sleep disturbances are an important health issue among shift workers that can impact their occupational performance. Aim of Work: To determine the percentage of poor sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and insomnia among factory workers and their relation to shift work. Additionally, to examine the impact of sleep problems on occupational performance. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a privately owned plastics manufacturing factory in Dakahlia governorate, Egypt between April 1st and June 30th, 2021. Workers were asked to fill out a questionnaire that included the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Occupational Impact of Sleep Questionnaire (OISQ). Results: A total of 159 workers were included in the current analysis. Approximately 70 (44.1%) workers had shift work. Workers had a high burden of sleep problems; poor sleep quality (74.2%), excessive daytime sleepiness (22.6%), and clinical insomnia (10.1%). Shift workers had significantly higher poor sleep quality (p=0.001), excessive daytime sleepiness (p=0.019), and insomnia (p=0.036) compared to non-shift workers. In addition, several sociodemographic characteristics were independently associated with sleep problems. All sleep problems especially poor sleep quality negatively affected occupational performance. The negative impact was similar in both shift and non-shift workers. Conclusion and Recommendations: Shift