Health, sleep and lack of time: relations to domestic and paid work in nurses

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess whether reported morbidity and complaints of lack of time and sleep are associated with the burden of professional work and housework among nurses. Methods A cross-sectional exploratory study was carried out among female nurses and nurse assistants (N=206) of a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire. The prevalence ratio and 95% confidence intervals were estimated. Results Mean duration of professional work and housework time was 40.4 and 31.6 hours/ week, respectively. Long professional working time (over 44 hours/week) were associated with mild emotional disorders (PR=1.37; 95% CI: 1.05-1.80), complaints of lack of time for resting/leisure (PR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.31-1.97), housework (PR=1.48; 95% CI: 1.12-1.97), and childcare (PR=1.99; 95% CI: 1.51-2.63). Long housework time (over 28 hours/week) was associated with lower prevalence of lack of time for childcare (PR=0.62; 95% CI: 0.46-0.84). High housework load was associated with lack of personal time and complaints of varicose veins (PR=1.31; 95% CI: 1.14-1.50 and PR=1.31; 95% CI: 1.08-1.58, respectively). Complaints of varicose veins were also frequent among female nurses with a total work load above 84 hours (PR=1.30; 95% CI: 1.05-1.61), though this group has shown a lower prevalence of arterial hypertension and recurrent headaches (PR=0.35; 95% CI: 0.15-0.83 and PR=0.53; 95% CI: 0.32-0.89, respectively). ConclusionsResults suggest that both professional and home environments are relevant in the evaluation of work overload on nurses' health and their family and social life. It is stressed the need for instruments for analyzing total workload among female populations. Resumo ObjetivoAvaliar a associação entre a carga de trabalho profissional e doméstico com doenças e queixas sobre o sono e falta de tempo em enfermeiras.

A gender approach to work ability and its relationship to professional and domestic work hours among nursing personnel

“…Concerning this aspect Kranz et al (2005) referred to a higher risk of health symptoms among females devoting more time to both paid and household work. Data on females from a similar population showed that those with long professional work hours were more likely to complain about the lack of time for leisure and rest than those working fewer hours (Portela et al, 2005). Other factors that can mediate the difficulties faced by females is related to the need for recovery from work-induced fatigue as it depend on the recovery time, which may differ between males and females due to different family roles (Jansen et al, 2003).…”

“…Therefore, the imbalance in gender work is a fundamental issue to be considered when analyzing the relationships between gender and work and health (Artazcoz et al, 2001). Some authors emphasize that health outcomes may be mutually influenced by professional and domestic work (Lindfords et al, 2006;Portela et al, 2005;Krantz and Ostergren, 2001). Paid and unpaid work in the home and social support are important elements in the social production of health and illness, though their combined effects on both women and men.…”

Working hours and health behaviour among nurses at public hospitals

“…The long working hours have a negative effect both on professional life and also on the social and family life of the individuals affected (1,3) . Difficulties in social relationships and personal activities (1,3) , as also the lack of time for leisure pursuits and health care, are often mentioned as being related to long working hours (1,(3)(4) .…”

“…The long working hours have a negative effect both on professional life and also on the social and family life of the individuals affected (1,3) . Difficulties in social relationships and personal activities (1,3) , as also the lack of time for leisure pursuits and health care, are often mentioned as being related to long working hours (1,(3)(4) . Thus, long working hours have been associated to several illnesses and symptoms, including bouts of depression, high blood pressure, muscular and skeletal problems, gastrointestinal disorders, stress and fatigue (4)(5) , and have also been linked to behaviour patterns that are inappropriate for good health, such as a greater consumption of alcohol, cigarette smoking, reduction in the quantity of physical exercise, and an inadequate standard of sleep or other sleep disorders (5)(6) .…”

“…In hospitals, the working hours are organised on a shift system, with 12 hours of continuous work and then either 36 or 60 hours off (3,5) . These working hours make it possible to fit in more than one professional employment, which is often reflected in extremely long and tiring professional working stints (5,8) .…”