Assessment of Sleep Quality Among Shift Workers in the Automobile Industry in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep disturbance is considered an important health problem among shift workers, which leads to impairment of social and recreational activities, a rise in the number of human errors, decreased efficiency at the workplace, and an increase in the number of industrial accidents which again has a counterproductive effect on workplace efficiency. This study aimed to determine the quality of sleep among automobile industry workers.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 178 shift workers in the automobile industry in the district of Kanchipuram. The minimum sample size was calculated using the formula N = (Z_{1 -α/2})² ×P×Q ÷ L². The study participants were selected using a simple random sampling method. Socio-demographic details of the participants were collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire following which the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess the sleep quality. Data was entered in MS Excel and was analyzed using SPSS version 26.

Results: The majority of the study participants, 148 (83.2 %) belonged to the 18 – 25 years age group, 38.8% had 4-night shifts on an average in a week, 56.2% had scores greater than or equal to 5 which was interpreted as poor sleep quality which was significantly associated (p=0.021 and p=0.018) with history of waking at night to pass urine and systemic illnesses respectively.

Conclusion: Strategic planning on intervention should focus on reducing physical stressors, and workers’ education on healthy sleeping. A variety of protective efforts should be undertaken and evaluated.