Investigation of The Effects of Shift Work And Work-Related Factors on Gastrointestinal Symptoms Among Healthcare Workers

Authors : Merve Erol Gülseven, Rabia Ezber
Pages : 357-365
Doi:10.35232/estudamhsd.1616298
View : 111 | Download : 466
Publication Date : 2025-11-06
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :The study aimed to examine the effects of work-related factors such as shift work, eating habits, work stress and sleep patterns on gastrointestinal symptoms in healthcare workers. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 387 healthcare workers at a city hospital between April 2024 and July 2024. In the study, a questionnaire form including sociodemographic data, chronic diseases, gastrointestinal disease history, shift work type and duration, eating habits, work stress, and sleep patterns, along with the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, was used. A positive correlation was found between the total shift work duration of the participants and diarrhea syndrome (r=0.115, p=0.044), indigestion syndrome (r=0.122, p=0.034), constipation syndrome (r=0.124, p=0.031) and reflux syndrome (r=0.196, p=0.001). Indigestion and reflux syndrome scores were higher among current and former rotating shift workers than among fixed daytime workers. (p=0.044, p=0.001). Diarrhea syndrome score was higher among current rotating shift workers than among fixed daytime workers (p=0.004). Furthermore, 69.5% of participants reported an increase in the consumption of fast food and processed or packaged foods during shift work periods. These participants exhibited significantly higher scores for diarrhea, indigestion, and abdominal pain syndromes (p=0.022, p=0.017, p=0.018). Diarrhea, indigestion, abdominal pain, and reflux syndrome scores were higher among healthcare workers with irregular sleep (p=0.004, p=0.044, p=0.003 and p=0.049). Understanding the work-related factors that affect the gastrointestinal system can help develop strategies to protect and improve employee health.
Keywords : Vardiyalı çalışma programı, dönüşümlü vardiyalı çalışma, iş stresi, uyku bozuklukları, sirkadiyen ritim, gastrointestinal bozukluklar

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