Title of article :
The association of Shift Work and Effort–Reward Imbalance with Gastrointestinal Symptoms among Female Nurses
Author/Authors :
Alsadah, Malak A Occupational Health Department - Dammam Medical Complex - Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia , Al‑Otaibi, Sultan T Department of Public Health - College of Public Health - Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia , Herzallah, Hatem K Department of Public Health - College of Public Health - Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Abstract :
Background: Shift work impacts workers’ health, mainly by disrupting the circadian rhythm, and gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances are among the health
effects of shift work. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the
association between shift work, work stress, and GI disturbance among nurses.
Methods: In July 2018, a cross‑sectional study was conducted in Dammam
Medical Complex, Saudi Arabia. A total of 250 nurses were selected through
convenience sampling from several departments. They completed a validated
questionnaire, which included questions about their demographic data, GI
symptoms, and effort–reward imbalance (ERI). Work stress was classified into two
groups based on the ERI ratio. GI symptoms were categorized into three indices:
total, upper, and lower GI. The sampling plan was designed to cover most of
the shifts in the included departments throughout nonspecified dates. The daytime
nurses’ group was selected from the same hospital as a comparison group to the
shift workers. Means and standard deviations were calculated for continuous
variables and frequencies and percentages were calculated for categorical
variables. The associations were assessed using the Chi‑squares and analysis of
variance. Results: Work stress among nurses, as measured by the ERI scale, was
strongly associated with both upper and lower GI symptoms, with odds ratios of
5.7 (CI: 3.3–7.9) and 2.2 (CI: 1.8–4.3), respectively. The total GI symptom score
of the shift workers was greater than that for the daytime workers, with means
of 7.8 ± 6.9 and 5.4 ± 5.1, respectively (P = 0.005). Multivariable regression
analysis showed that ERI was associated with both lower and upper GI symptoms
after adjusting for shift work and years on the job. Conclusions: Shift work was
associated with the high prevalence of GI symptoms. Stress (ERI) increased the
risk for GI disturbance. Controlling work stress is necessary because it affects
nurses’ physical and social health, as well as their performances at work and the quality of care they provide.
Keywords :
Gastrointestinal , Nurses , Reward , Shift , Work
Journal title :
Nursing and Midwifery Studies
