Sleep Disorders Linked to Quality of Life in a Sample of Egyptian Policemen a Comparative Study between Shift Workers and Non-Shift Workers

Abstract

Abstract Background Poor sleep is associated with bad health outcomes, worse wellbeing and decreases in performance, productivity and safety at work. Police officers are exposed to several risk factors including extended work schedules, shift work, occupational stress, dangerous and traumatic events and can, as such, develop sleep problems. Aim and Objectives To compare quality of life, occupational stress level, between shift &non shift workers policemen working at El-Agouza Police Hospital. Subjects and Methods This was a cross-sectional comparative study conducted on 64 policemen working in 6 different Police department recruited from sleep clinic neuropsychiatry department at EL-Agouza Police Hospital serving police officers in El-Nile street, Giza, Egypt. Result Occurrence of sleep disorders was significantly higher in the shift workers compared to the non-shift worker group (p < 0.01). Conclusion In the current population-based study of police officers, poor sleep quality was more prevalent among officers who were engaged in shift work. The findings are consistent with prior evidence that night shift carried the greatest risk of poor sleep quality because night-shift officers have to make some adaptations that compensate for their natural circadian patterns.