Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

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Background: Shift work is one of the inevitable consequences of technology in which in the recent years numerous studies have been done about its effect on health. Somatic, psychological and social disturbances are among the problems that are seen more in people with shift work than other people. The current study aims to determine the prevalence of these disturbances in one of the LPG and gas refinery complex, oil companies. Methods: This cross-sectional case-control study was carried out at 180 shift-work people as case group and 90 day-work people as control group at the security section of the oil refinery company. Data of shift workers were collected with Survey of Shift workers (SOS) questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of questions on demographic characteristics and health problems associated with shift work. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Ver.19 at a significance level of 5%. Results: The mean (SD) of shift working and day-work workers were estimated to be 41 ± 4.8 and 39 ± 4.1 years, respectively. The results showed that health problems shift-workers were more prevalent than day-work workers. The differences were significant in gastrointestinal disease, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and fatigue (P < 0.05). Conclusion: According to the result of this study, shift work can be a risk factor for the incidence of somatic and psychological disturbances. Initiatives should be implemented to prevent these complications in shift workers.

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Background & Objectives: Shiftwork is a social phenomenon that can have adverse effects on human life. Given the importance of the shiftwork system and caused by the related health problems, the present study was conducted to determine the health status of and shift workers in a hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in one of the hospitals in Razan (Iran). The sample size consisted of 120 medical, administration and service staff. The SOS questionnaire was used for data collection. The data analysis was performed in SPSS software by χ2. Results: The results showed that 98.3% of complaints were about personal, social and familial problems, and 84.9% were related to musculoskeletal disorders. . Satisfaction of rotating shift work and shift work voluntarily chosen variables, the rotation of the shift, shift work and adverse effects on personal life, adverse effects on family life revealed a significant relationship (P<0.05). Instead, insomnia common variables, adverse effects on social life and social problems showed no significant relationship.

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Introduction: Shift work, in addition to its effects on physical, psychological and social status, may impact on oral health. The aim of this research was to assess the relationship between shift work and oral health in nurses.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 120 nurses working in a hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences during 2014-2015. Oral health status and DMFT index (Decayed, Missing and Filling Teeth) was assessed by a dentist through clinical examination. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software, chi-squared test, independent samples t-test and multiple logistic regressions test.

Results: The results showed that the means of DMFT index in shift work nurses and non-shift work nurses were 8.10 ± 4.10 and 9.41 ± 2.8, respectively. There was no significant difference between decayed, missing and filled teeth and periodontal DMFT index in both groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age was a significant predictor of DMFT indictor (P<0.001). No significant relationship was found in DMFT index with gravid, parity, family income, anxiety and work experience.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that shift work was not an independent factor affecting oral health. However, regarding the DMFT index mean differences and nurses’ job responsibilities, it seems necessary to pay more attention to this occupational group.

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Introduction: In the modern industrial world, the health of the employees in different Occupations can be influenced by the interaction of various risk factors. So, the purpose of present study was to assess and analyze the relationship between the factors including shift work, job stress, job satisfaction and health in a petrochemical industry.
Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted using analytical and cross-sectional method. The statistical population was all employees of a petrochemical company (4000 people). Using the Cochran formula, a sample of 360 individuals were selected using simple random sampling method. Data was collected using a high reliability integrated questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.83). Data was analyzed using SPSS22.0.
Results: The analytical results of relationship between shift work, occupational stress, occupational satisfaction and health showed that all hypotheses in the conceptual model were approved and there was a significant relationship between these factors (P<0.001). Also, the results showed that, in addition to the direct effect of shift work on health, due to the effect on occupational stress and occupational satisfaction, it was indirectly related to health (P <0.001).
Conclusion: The findings indicated that shift work as a direct factor and as a mediator and indirect factor through impact on factors such as occupational satisfaction and stress can affect the health of employees. Therefore, considering this organizational phenomenon and its redesign or its change can play an important role in increasing the level of occupational health and motivation as well as organizational productivity.