Describing the influences working night shift has on the health and wellbeing of nurses in private healthcare settings

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY: Literature has shown that working night shift influences the health of night shift workers. These influences include sleep deprivation, disrupted sleeping patterns, chronic fatigue, weight gain, digestive problems, mental health problems and the development of chronic diseases such as hypertension. To date, few studies were found that report on the influence night shift has on the health of nurses in the South African context.The aim of the study was to investigate what influences working night shift has on the health of nurses in private health settings. The objectives of the study were to: Identify and describe the sleeping patterns of night shift nurses; Describe the energy levels of night shift nurses; Describe current health and wellbeing of night shift nurses; Identify and describe the amounts of stimulants used by night shift nurses; and Describe the presence of anxiety and depression among night shift nurses.A quantitative approach with a descriptive design was applied. The population consisted of N=509 nurses working night shift in the private health sector in the City of Cape Town. A calculated thirty percent (n=153) sample was drawn at each hospital identified for the project through systematic random sampling. The questionnaire that was used in this study is the validated Standard Shift work Index. The main study had been preceded by a pilot test. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee (HREC) at Stellenbosch University. Institutional permission was obtained from the heads of the various participating hospitals to conduct the study. Other ethical principles that were considered are anonymity, confidentiality, beneficence, justice and voluntary participation.The researcher collected all the data herself. An experienced statistician assisted with the data analysis, using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS).The findings of the study confirmed that the participants in the study experience high levels of fatigue, sleep disturbances, cardiac symptoms, digestive symptoms, stimulant use, depression and anxiety.A number of participants reported to have developed diseases such as chronic back pain, headaches, hypertension, sinusitis and tonsillitis after commencing with night duty.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University