Chronotype and work shift in nursing workers of university hospitals

Rev Bras Enferm. 2017 Sep-Oct;70(5):958-964. doi: 10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0542.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective:: To identify the predominant chronotype in nursing workers who work in surgical clinics of university hospitals and to verify the association with work shift.

Method:: Cross-sectional study, performed in surgical clinics of university hospitals in the Southern region of Brazil. The sample of 270 nursing workers answered questions of socio-occupational characterization, of health and the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire of Horne and Östberg. We performed a descriptive and bivariate analysis with the help of the SPSS software and confidence interval of 95%.

Results:: The indifferent chronotype predominated (45.2%). There were significant differences between occupational categories and variables "age" (p<0.001), "use of medication" (p=0.035) and "choice of work shift" (p=0.001). There was an association between the chronotype and the variables "work leave due to illness" (p=0.021), "children" (p=0.025), "use of medication" (p=0.018) and "work shift" (p=0.001).

Conclusion:: The chronotype remained indifferent, and the results confirmed association between chronotype and work shift.

Objetivo:: Identificar o cronotipo predominante em trabalhadores de enfermagem que atuam em clínicas cirúrgicas de hospitais universitários e verificar associação com o turno de trabalho.

Método:: Estudo transversal, realizado em clínicas cirúrgicas de hospitais universitários da região Sul do Brasil. A amostra de 270 trabalhadores de enfermagem respondeu questões de caracterização sociolaboral, de saúde e o Questionário de Matutinidade-Vespertinidade de Horne e Östberg. Realizou-se análise descritiva e bivariada com auxílio do software SPSS e intervalo de confiança de 95%.

Resultados:: Predominou o cronotipo indiferente (45,2%). Houve diferença significativa entre as categorias profissionais e as variáveis "idade" (p<0,001), "uso de medicação" (p=0,035) e "opção pelo turno de trabalho" (p=0,001). Foi identificada associação entre o cronotipo e as variáveis "afastado do trabalho por motivo de doença" (p=0,021), "filho(s)" (p=0,025), "uso de medicação" (p=0,018) e "turno de trabalho" (p=0,001).

Conclusão:: Predominou o cronotipo indiferente, e os resultados confirmaram a associação entre cronotipo e turno de trabalho.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities* / trends
  • Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / nursing
  • Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / psychology
  • Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / standards
  • Brazil
  • Circadian Rhythm*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Personnel / psychology*
  • Hospitals, University / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nurses / psychology
  • Psychometrics / instrumentation
  • Psychometrics / methods
  • Shift Work Schedule / adverse effects
  • Shift Work Schedule / psychology*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Workforce