Nurses are healthcare workers who don’t care
about their health but their patient. There are evidences
that nurses are engaged into improper shift system
(mainly night shifts)- such work schedules have been
related to numerous health problems, which include
gastrointestinal problems, cardiovascular problems,
metabolic syndrome, migraine, anxiety, and depression
.The diagnostic criteria for SWD, as defined by the
American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)'s
International Classification of Sleep Disorders-2 (ICSD-
20). Here in this study we assess the prevalence of Shift
Work Disorder and related health problems among
nurses in a tertiary care hospital, Chennai, South India.
A cross sectional Hospital based study on nurses of
tertiary hospital in Chennai for a duration of 2 months
on sample size (N):127 using Standard Shift work Index
questionnaire. The results will be tabulated and analysed
statistically with appropriate parametric and non-
parametric tests such as student’s t-test and chi-Square
test. The prevalence of SWD will be assessed and related
health problems among the health care nurses will be
assessed using the questionnaire as the tool. Shift work
and related health problems are important topics in the
health-care sector due to their possible negative impact
on the workers’ health and safety. Health education,
awareness among workers regarding their work
schedules, shifts, holidays, and treatment plays a major
role in treating SWD. Till now only few studies haves
been done to assess the shift work disorder hence, this
study will be useful in assessing the prevalence of shift
work disorder and to create awareness among the health
care individuals whose primary job is taking care of
other people’s health.
Keywords : Shift Work Disorder, Health Problems, Night Shifts.