Comparison of sleep quality and its Relationship with Fatigue Severity between Day and Night Workers in Sugar Factory in 2011

One of the most important needs of life is sleep. Sleep deprivation and fatigue in the long-term leads to physical and psychological failure. In addition to health problems، work efficiency will also decrease. Due to the threats arising from poor sleep quality; this study was performed to determine the sleep quality and its relation to fatigue severity between night and day workers. This cross-sectional study was performed on 121 workers who were randomly selected from one of the sugar industries. Data were collected using a standard Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)، a Fatigue Severity Scale and demographic questionnaire. The gathered data was analyzed by Pearson، Independent t-test، Mann-Whitney، ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Overall sleep quality of day workers was more desirable than night workers (total score 6. 2±2. 7 vs. 9±4. 5) (p=0. 001). The time required for falling asleep was less (19. 7±13 min vs. 29. 2±17. 8) (p=0. 002) and real sleep duration was more (6±1. 2 hrs vs. 4. 7±1. 8) (p=0. 001) in the day workers. Using sleeping drugs (28. 9% vs. 11. 5%) (p=0. 012) and existance of sleep disorders (53. 8% vs. 13%) (p=0. 001) were more prevalant in the night workers. The increase of fatigue led to worse quality of sleep in the workers (p=0. 001). Results showed that working in uncoordinated hours with circadian rhythm can lead to undesirable sleep quality. Training the workers about the problems arising from lack of sleep and how to compensate sleeplessness in available opportunities is strongly recommended. Also، managers should be instructed to plan the shift work more approrriatly.