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Publisher: Peytchinski Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 1312-773X (Online)
Issue: 2020, vol. 26, issue2
Subject Area: Medicine
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DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2020262.3163
Published online: 27 May 2020
Original article
J of IMAB. 2020 Apr-Jun;26(2):3163-3167
SLEEP DISORDERS AND FATIGUE AMONG EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE WORKERS
Marina Samuneva-Zhelyabova
, Karolina Lyubomirova, Todor Kundurzhiev,
Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University- Sofia, Bulgaria.
ABSTRACT:
Background: Fatigue and sleepiness during shift work pose a safety risk for emergency healthcare workers. These are factors which can compromise the effectiveness of these workers and as a result, can have detrimental consequences on the workers’ health and overall well-being. A large share of emergency healthcare personnel reports high levels of work-related fatigue and poor sleep.
Objectives: Investigation of sleep disorders and mental and physical fatigue among emergency healthcare workers.
Material and Methods: The study was conducted among 468 workers in 2 emergency healthcare centres. The male participants were 58.3%, and 41.7% were female. The distribution by position was nurses 35.8%, followed by drivers - 26.1% , doctors - 18.1%, paramedics - 14.2%, and sanitation workers - 5.8%. Statistical methods used included descriptive statistics and Chi-square test.
Results: The results showed that the biggest share was that of participants who have sleep disorders at age over 55 years – 41%, while by position, that of the physicians – 46.4%. The levels of physical fatigue were higher among participants from the age up to 35 years – 53.1%, and among paramedics – 59.1%, followed by physicians – 58.3%. Mental fatigue was higher among women – 52.7%. The share of mental fatigue at the end of the working day among doctors was higher - 64.3%.
Conclusion: Sleep disorders and fatigue are common among emergency healthcare workers.The levels of sleep disorders and physical and mental fatigue are high and unhealthy.
Keywords: Emergency healthcare workers, Sleep disorders, Mental fatigue, Physical fatigue,
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Please cite this article as: Samuneva-Zhelyabova M, Lyubomirova K, Kundurzhiev T. Sleep Disorders and Fatigue among Emergency Healthcare Workers. J of IMAB. 2020 Apr-Jun;26(2):3163-3167.
DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2020262.3163
Correspondence to: Marina Samuneva-Zhelyabova, MD, PhD. Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University – Sofia; 8, Bialo more str., Sofia, Bulgaria; E-mail: msamuneva@gmail.com
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Received: 12 June 2019
Published online: 27 May 2020