Are long working hours and shiftwork risk factors for subfecundity? A study among couples from southern Thailand.

Abstract

Objective-To estimate the eVect of long working hours and shift work on time to pregnancy. Methods-Cross sectional samples with retrospective data collection from two 700 bed hospitals at secondary to tertiary care level in Hatyai district, Songkhla Province, Thailand. The study was conducted from March 1995 to November 1995 among 1496 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinics. Subfecundity was defined as time to pregnancy longer than 7.8, 9.5, or 12 months (time to pregnancy was calculated from the date at which the couples started having sexual relations without any contraception until last menstrual date). Results-The descriptive analyses were restricted to 1201 planned pregnancies and the analytical part to 907 working women. Separate analyses on primigravid women were also done. Logistic regressions adjusted for age, education, body mass index, menstrual regularity, obstetric and medical history, coital frequency, and potential exposure to reproductive toxic agents, showed an odds ratio (OR) associated with female exposure to long working hours of 2.3 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.0 to 5.1) in primigravid and 1.6 (1.0 to 2.7) in all pregnant women. Male exposure to long working hours and shiftwork showed no association with subfecundity. The OR of subfecundity was highest when both partners worked >70 hours a week irrespective of the cut oV point used (OR 4.1 (95% CI 1.3 to 13.4) in primigravid women; OR 2.0 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.8) in all pregnant women). Conclusions-Long working hours is a risk factor for subfecundity especially for women. Shiftwork was not associated with subfecundity in this study. (Occup Environ Med 1998;55:99-105)

Workplace exposures and male infertility — A case-control study

“…This is in accordance with Irgens et al [41] who reported a tendency toward reduced semen quality among shift workers (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 0.89-2.40) which may be explained by stress and specific lifestyle factors. Moreover, Tuntiseranee et al estimated the effect of long working hours and shift work on time-to-pregnancy and they found that long working hours constitute a risk factor for subfecundity, but, shift work was not associated with subfecundity in their study [42]. However, Zhu et al examined whether shift work is associated with reduced fecundity as estimated by time-to-pregnancy (TTP).…”

Possible Broad Impacts of Long Work Hours

“…A possible negative impact of long work hours on reproduction is subfecundity (defined by the study: time of 7.8 months or longer to pregnancy for couples who plan a pregnancy) 50) . Meta-analysis of six high-quality studies by Mozurkewich et al 51) suggested a weak relationship between long working hours in pregnant women and preterm birth (Odd Ratio = 1.24 with a 95% Confidence Interval of 1.04 to 1.48).…”

Working Hour and Intention to Have Children in Hong Kong Full-Time Workers

“…Long working hour affects the health of employee, make them have no time to take care of their families, especially their children. It may also produce negative effect on husband-wife relationship (Behar, 2001), parent-child relationship (Fursman, 2009), pregnancy planning (Moss, 2009), ease of getting pregnancy (Tuntiseranee et al, 1998) and increase risk or abortion (Hatch et al, 1997). All these factors may interact and decrease pregnancy and decrease birth rate (Young, 2016).…”