Sleep disorders and main determinants among hospital staffs in a referral hospital in Iran

Introduction: The prevalence rate of sleep disorders among hospital staff is expected to high due to shift work and its related circadian cycle disturbance. Complexity, high prevalence, and health implications related to sleep disorders are of great importance. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and main determinants of sleep disorders among hospital staff. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 200 head nurses, nurses, midwives, operating room technicians, health care providers, service staffs of all departments, and physicians at Shaheed Rajaei hospital in Tonekabon city, Iran in 2015. The questionnaire which assessed the sleep disturbances was sourced from four scaling systems of Global Sleep Assessment Questionnaire (GSAQ), insomnia severity index (ISI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Results: According to the assessment by the study adopted questionnaire, 78% (78.6% of males and 77.8% of females) suffered from work-related sleep disorders. Regarding association between work shifts and likelihood of sleep disorders, it was shown a significantly higher rate of sleep disturbances in the staffs with morning and evening shifts (100%), morning and night shifts (100%), or evening and night shifts (100%), simultaneously (P<0.001). Marital status, work experience, and gender could not affect sleep quality. Conclusion: Most of the hospital staff especially practical nurses and nurses suffered from sleep disturbances. Simultaneous and multi-sectional work shifts lead to higher likelihood of sleep problem among staffs.