[Workplace Fatigue, Metabolic Syndrome, and Cardiovascular Disease Risks: A Study of Long-Term Night Shift Nurses]

Abstract

Background: Night-shift work affects the physical and mental health of employees. Early identification of relevant high-risk groups may be referenced in health promotion, job analysis, and job design.

Purpose: To explore the differences in workplace fatigue, physiological index of metabolic syndrome, and risk of cardiovascular disease between long-term and non-long-term night-time working nursing staff.

Methods: The health examination data of 91 long-term and 119 non-long-term night-shift nurses were collected. A sub-data analysis approach was used and t-test, chi-square, Pearson`s correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression were used to conduct statistical analysis.

Results: A positive correlation between cardiovascular risk and workplace fatigue was found in the long-term night-shift working group. Moreover, a lower average duration of sleep was found in the non-long-term night-shift working group. Finally, the participants with workplace fatigue and metabolic syndrome were found to have higher levels of cardiovascular risk.

Conclusions / implications for practice: Nursing staff who work night shifts for long-term and non-long-term periods should all receive regular health check-ups and practice healthy eating, exercise, and sleep habits. Employers should provide regular health checkups to their nursing staff and implement measures to identify health hazards in accordance with laws on labor standards, occupational safety, and health and labor health protection regulations, and then adopt appropriate plans and necessary safety and health measures to achieve a mutually beneficial result for both employers and employees in the healthcare industry.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease risks; metabolic syndrome; night shift; nurses; workplace fatigue.