Fatigue and sleepiness in night workers: preliminary results of an educational program

Background Night work has negative effects on sleep, sleepiness and fatigue with repercussions in performance, safety and health. Therefore, implementing sleep hygiene educational intervention seems of tremendous importance to industries. The questions underlying this study were: 1) To what extent do shift workers experience risk levels of fatigue and sleepiness?; 2) May a sleep hygiene program be associated with improvements on fatigue and sleepiness? Methods The study was conducted in industry and employed a pre pos-test design using the Epworth's Sleepiness Scale and Chalder's Fatigue Scale. From 471 night workers assessed 45 participants at risk for fatigue and sleepiness (93.3% males), mean age of 31 years (SD = 7.3), were selected for the intervention, composed of four sessions along five months, delivered by the occupational medical doctor. The first three sessions, in small groups, focused in sleep literacy and sleep hygiene; the last one, individual, focused in clinical issues (personalized intervention plan). Results Results suggested that 9.6% (N = 45) of the night workers were at high risk (higher levels of fatigue and sleepiness). After intervention, paired T tests revealed significant decreases (p<.001) on mean values for fatigue from T0 (M = 6.67; SD = 2.23) to T1 (M = 4.78; SD = 3.02), and for sleepiness from T0 (M = 15.49; SD = 4.39) to T1 (M = 11.8; SD = 5.95). Along the intervention, participants pointed out family-related routines as an obstacle to daytime sleeping period. Conclusions Results support the importance of this educational program focused on sleep hygiene, in reducing sleepiness and fatigue. The program is now part of the occupational health procedures of the company but qualitative results also suggest the importance of including the family in the program, as an innovative procedure. In summary, education of night workers and their families is needed regarding sleep habits in order to promote safety and health in workplace. Key messages The sleep hygiene program implemented in permanent night workers allowed to reduce fatigue and sleepiness. Fatigue and sleepiness management improvements might contribute to reduce the risk of accidents in the workplace and increase the workers’ health condition.