Sleep-related problems and minor psychiatric disorders among Brazilian shift workers.

The aim of this study was to explore the association between sleep-related problems with the occurrence of minor psychiatric disorders in shift workers of southern Brazil. A cross-sectional study with 1202 workers (785 females) aged 18-50 years was carried out. Minor psychiatric disorders were assessed using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20), and four sleep problems were collected and analyzed: sleep deprivation (≤ 5h), difficulty falling asleep, waking up during sleep, and sleep medication use. Results show that the overall prevalence of minor psychiatric disorders was 26.8%, but it was more prevalent among females than males (30.2% vs. 20.4%). Nightshift work was significantly associated with the occurrence of sleep-related problems. After adjusting for confounding factors, the number of sleep-related problems showed a positive linear trend with psychiatric disorders in both sexes. Having two or more sleep-related problems was associated with increased probability of psychiatric disorders approximately three-fold among males and two-fold among females, when compared with those without sleep problems. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that sleep-related problems have a strong and independent association with psychiatric disorders among shift workers. Furthermore, the prevalence of both conditions was higher among females than males; however, the strength of these associations was higher in males.

Job characteristics and musculoskeletal pain among shift workers of a poultry processing plant in Southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between job characteristics and musculoskeletal pain among shift workers employed at a 24-hour poultry processing plant in Southern Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 1,103 production line workers aged 18-52 years. The job characteristics of interest were shift (day/night), shift duration, and plant sector ambient temperature. Musculoskeletal pain was defined as self-reported occupational-related pain in the upper or lower extremities and trunk, occurring often or always, during the last 12 months. RESULTS: The mean (SD) participant age was 30.8 (8.5) years, and 65.7% of participants were women. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was greater among female participants than male participants. After adjustment for job characteristics and potential confounders, the prevalence ratios (PR) of lower extremity musculoskeletal pain among female workers employed in extreme-temperature conditions those working the night shift, and those who had been working longer on the same shift were 1.75 (95% CI 1.12, 2.71), 1.69 (95% CI 1.05, 2.70), and 1.64 (95% CI 1.03, 2.62), respectively. In male workers, only extreme-temperature conditions showed a significant association with lower extremity musculoskeletal pain (PR=2.17; 95% CI 1.12, 4.22) after adjustment analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a need for implementation of measures to mitigate the damage caused by nighttime work and by working under extreme temperature conditions, especially among female shift workers, such as changing positions frequently during work and implementation of rest breaks and a workplace exercise program, so as to improve worker quality of life.

Alteração no comportamento alimentar de trabalhadores de turnos de um frigorífico do sul do Brasil / Alteration in eating habits among shift workers of a poultry processing plant in southern Brazil

Resumo Investigou-se a relação entre trabalho em turnos e o comportamento alimentar dos trabalhadores de um frigorífico do sul do Brasil. Estudo transversal com 1.206 trabalhadores, entre 18 e 50 anos, de ambos os sexos. Um questionário padronizado foi utilizado para as informações demográficas, socioeconômicas, turno de trabalho e hábitos alimentares. O turno de trabalho foi categorizado em diurno e noturno, com base nos horários de início e fim do turno. O comportamento alimentar dos trabalhadores foi avaliado da seguinte forma: número e tipo de refeições realizadas nas 24 horas de um dia habitual, inadequação dos horários dessas refeições e escore alimentar de risco. Este foi construído com base na classificação de risco do consumo semanal de 13 itens alimentares. Após o ajuste para possíveis fatores de confusão, os trabalhadores do sexo masculino, de cor de pele não branca e mais jovens tiveram maior probabilidade de apresentar comportamento alimentar de risco. Trabalhadores noturnos realizavam maior número de refeições/dia e apresentaram maior inadequação nos horários das refeições do que os diurnos. O turno de trabalho noturno pode influenciar negativamente no comportamento alimentar de trabalhadores desse período.

Abstract The relationship between shift work and the eatinghabits of workers was investigated in a slaughterhouse in southern Brazil. It involved a cross-sectional study with 1,206 workers of both sexes between 18 and 50 years of age. A standardized questionnaire was used to gather demographic, socioeconomic, work shift and eating habit information. The shift of work was categorized into daytime and nighttime, based on the starting and ending times of the shift. The eating habits of workers were evaluated as follows: number and type of meals eaten during the 24 hours of a normal day, the inappropriateness of the hoursof these meals and the dietaryrisk score. This was built on the risk score of the weekly consumption of 13 food items. After adjusting for potential confounders, non-Caucasian and younger male workers were more likely to manifest eating risk habits. Nighttimeshift workers consumed ahigher number of meals/day with greater inappropriateness of meal times than daytimeshift workers. The night shift can negatively influence the eating habits of workers of that shift.

Alteration in eating habits among shift workers of a poultry processing plant in southern Brazil.

The relationship between shift work and the eatinghabits of workers was investigated in a slaughterhouse in southern Brazil. It involved a cross-sectional study with 1,206 workers of both sexes between 18 and 50 years of age. A standardized questionnaire was used to gather demographic, socioeconomic, work shift and eating habit information. The shift of work was categorized into daytime and nighttime, based on the starting and ending times of the shift. The eating habits of workers were evaluated as follows: number and type of meals eaten during the 24 hours of a normal day, the inappropriateness of the hoursof these meals and the dietaryrisk score. This was built on the risk score of the weekly consumption of 13 food items. After adjusting for potential confounders, non-Caucasian and younger male workers were more likely to manifest eating risk habits. Nighttimeshift workers consumed ahigher number of meals/day with greater inappropriateness of meal times than daytimeshift workers. The night shift can negatively influence the eating habits of workers of that shift.

Metabolic syndrome in fixed-shift workers.

OBJECTIVE To analyze if metabolic syndrome and its altered components are associated with demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral factors in fixed-shift workers. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 902 shift workers of both sexes in a poultry processing plant in Southern Brazil in 2010. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was determined according to the recommendations from Harmonizing the Metabolic Syndrome. Its frequency was evaluated according to the demographic (sex, skin color, age and marital status), socioeconomic (educational level, income and work shift), and behavioral characteristics (smoking, alcohol intake, leisure time physical activity, number of meals and sleep duration) of the sample. The multivariate analysis followed a theoretical framework for identifying metabolic syndrome in fixed-shift workers. RESULTS The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the sample was 9.3% (95%CI 7.4;11.2). The most frequently altered component was waist circumference (PR 48.4%; 95%CI 45.5;51.2), followed by high-density lipoprotein. Work shift was not associated with metabolic syndrome and its altered components. After adjustment, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was positively associated with women (PR 2.16; 95%CI 1.28;3.64), workers aged over 40 years (PR 3.90; 95%CI 1.78;8.93) and those who reported sleeping five hours or less per day (PR 1.70; 95%CI 1.09;2.24). On the other hand, metabolic syndrome was inversely associated with educational level and having more than three meals per day (PR 0.43; 95%CI 0.26;0.73). CONCLUSIONS Being female, older and deprived of sleep are probable risk factors for metabolic syndrome, whereas higher educational level and higher number of meals per day are protective factors for metabolic syndrome in fixed-shift workers.

Metabolic syndrome in fixed-shift workers / Síndrome metabólica em trabalhadores de turnos fixos

OBJECTIVE To analyze if metabolic syndrome and its altered components are associated with demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral factors in fixed-shift workers.METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 902 shift workers of both sexes in a poultry processing plant in Southern Brazil in 2010. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was determined according to the recommendations from Harmonizing the Metabolic Syndrome. Its frequency was evaluated according to the demographic (sex, skin color, age and marital status), socioeconomic (educational level, income and work shift), and behavioral characteristics (smoking, alcohol intake, leisure time physical activity, number of meals and sleep duration) of the sample. The multivariate analysis followed a theoretical framework for identifying metabolic syndrome in fixed-shift workers.RESULTS The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the sample was 9.3% (95%CI 7.4;11.2). The most frequently altered component was waist circumference (PR 48.4%; 95%CI 45.5;51.2), followed by high-density lipoprotein. Work shift was not associated with metabolic syndrome and its altered components. After adjustment, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was positively associated with women (PR 2.16; 95%CI 1.28;3.64), workers aged over 40 years (PR 3.90; 95%CI 1.78;8.93) and those who reported sleeping five hours or less per day (PR 1.70; 95%CI 1.09;2.24). On the other hand, metabolic syndrome was inversely associated with educational level and having more than three meals per day (PR 0.43; 95%CI 0.26;0.73).CONCLUSIONS Being female, older and deprived of sleep are probable risk factors for metabolic syndrome, whereas higher educational level and higher number of meals per day are protective factors for metabolic syndrome in fixed-shift workers.

OBJETIVO Analisar se síndrome metabólica e seus componentes alterados estão associados a fatores demográficos, socioeconômicos e comportamentais em trabalhadores de turnos fixos.MÉTODOS Estudo transversal com amostra de 902 trabalhadores de turnos, de ambos os sexos, de um frigorífico de frango do sul do Brasil, em 2010. O diagnóstico da síndrome metabólica foi determinado pelas recomendações doHarmonizing the Metabolic Syndrome; e sua frequência foi avaliada segundo características demográficas (sexo, cor de pele, idade e estado civil), socioeconômicas (escolaridade, renda e turno de trabalho) e comportamentais (tabagismo, consumo de álcool, atividade física de lazer, número de refeições/dia e duração do sono). A análise multivariada seguiu um modelo conceitual de determinação da síndrome metabólica em trabalhadores de turnos fixos.RESULTADOS A prevalência de síndrome metabólica foi 9,3% (IC95% 7,4;11,2). O componente mais frequentemente alterado foi a circunferência da cintura (RP 48,4%; IC95% 45,5;51,2), seguido pela lipoproteína de alta densidade. O turno de trabalho não esteve associado à síndrome metabólica e aos seus componentes alterados. Após ajustes, a prevalência da síndrome metabólica foi positivamente associada ao sexo feminino (RP 2,16; IC95% 1,28;3,64), a trabalhadores com 40 anos ou mais (RP 3,90; IC95% 1,78;8.93) e àqueles que reportaram dormir cinco horas ou menos por dia (RP 1,70; IC95% 1,09;2,24). Por outro lado, a síndrome metabólica esteve negativamente relacionada à escolaridade e a fazer mais do que três refeições por dia (RP 0,43 IC95% 0,26;0,73).CONCLUSÕES Ser mulher, possuir idade mais avançada e ter privação de sono mostraram-se potenciais fatores de risco para síndrome metabólica, enquanto ter maior escolaridade e realizar maior número de refeições/dia foram fatores de proteção para síndrome metabólica em trabalhadores de turnos fixos.

Sleep deprivation and obesity in shift workers in southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to explore the association between sleep deprivation and obesity among shift workers. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥30 kg/m2. Time of sleep was categorized as: >5 h of continuous sleep/d; ≤5 h of continuous sleep/d with some additional rest (sleep deprivation level I); and ≤5 h of continuous sleep/d without any additional rest (sleep deprivation level II). Sociodemographic, parental and behavioural variables were evaluated by means of a standardized pre-tested questionnaire. Potential confounding factors were controlled for in the multivariable model. SETTING: A poultry-processing plant in southern Brazil. SUBJECTS: Nine hundred and five shift workers (63 % female). RESULTS: Obesity was more prevalent in the participants who were female, aged 40 years and older, who had less schooling and reported excess weight in both parents. Sleep deprivation levels I and II were associated with increased income, number of meals consumed throughout the day and nightshift work. All of the workers who exhibited a degree of sleep deprivation worked the night shift. After controlling for potential confounding factors, the prevalence ratios of obesity were 1·4 (95 % CI 0·8, 2·2) and 4·4 (95 % CI 2·4, 8·0) in the workers with sleep deprivation levels I and II, respectively, compared with the reference group. CONCLUSIONS: These results show a strong association between sleep deprivation and obesity in shift workers and that sleep deprivation may be a direct consequence of working at night.