Roghayeh Abedini1, Ahmad Soltanzadeh2, Mohammad Amin Faghih3, Heidar Mohammadi4, Mojtaba Kamalinia1, Majid Habibi Mohraz5, Maziyar Arassi6, Peyman Piran Veyseh6, Hamed Aghaei5, Seyed Younes Hosseini4. 1. Occupational Health Department, School of Health and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 2. Occupational Health Department, School of Public Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran. 3. Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Science, BandarAbbas, Iran. 4. Occupational Health Department, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 5. Occupational Health Department, School of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 6. Occupational Health Department, School of Health, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Shift-work, which is an ergonomics issue in workplaces, can negatively affect workers. The security personnel of medical centers in Iran have multiple responsibilities and consequently are exposed to such unwanted situations as observing patients, disputing with patient's attendants, unwanted shift schedules, and being away from family for long periods. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed health problems of Iranian hospital security personnel (shift-worker personnel) using the Survey of Shift-workers (SOS) questionnaire (Persian version). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in seven medical centers (4 hospitals and 3 clinics). A total of 416 workers were surveyed: shift-workers (exposed group) (n=209) and non-shift-workers (unexposed group) (n=207). RESULTS: The prevalence of adverse health effects was higher in shift-workers than day-workers. The level of education and mean Body Mass Index (BMI) in shift-workers were significantly higher compared with day-workers. The prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular and psychological problems were also significantly higher in shift-workers compared with day-workers. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the prevalence of health problems among the security personnel of medical centers was high. Hence, it is recommended that personnel be put under periodic monitoring and receive medical counseling and treatment if there is any disorder.
BACKGROUND: Shift-work, which is an ergonomics issue in workplaces, can negatively affect workers. The security personnel of medical centers in Iran have multiple responsibilities and consequently are exposed to such unwanted situations as observing patients, disputing with patient's attendants, unwanted shift schedules, and being away from family for long periods. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed health problems of Iranian hospital security personnel (shift-worker personnel) using the Survey of Shift-workers (SOS) questionnaire (Persian version). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in seven medical centers (4 hospitals and 3 clinics). A total of 416 workers were surveyed: shift-workers (exposed group) (n=209) and non-shift-workers (unexposed group) (n=207). RESULTS: The prevalence of adverse health effects was higher in shift-workers than day-workers. The level of education and mean Body Mass Index (BMI) in shift-workers were significantly higher compared with day-workers. The prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular and psychological problems were also significantly higher in shift-workers compared with day-workers. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the prevalence of health problems among the security personnel of medical centers was high. Hence, it is recommended that personnel be put under periodic monitoring and receive medical counseling and treatment if there is any disorder.
Entities:
Keywords:
SOS questionnaire; Shift-worker; day-worker; gastrointestinal disorders; medical centers