Negative representations of night-shift work and mental health of public hospital healthcare workers in the COVID-19 era (Aladdin survey).

BACKGROUND: Many risk factors impact the health of hospital night workers, which can lead to physical and mental health disorders. During the recent period, night hospital workers have been particularly stressed. This study therefore aims to: (i) To document the prevalence of depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and symptoms suggestive of post-traumatic stress disorder in night shift workers (NSHW) working in Parisian public hospitals after France's first COVID-19 wave ended; (ii) To estimate the effect of negative representations and perceptions of night shift work on these mental health outcomes. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional online survey of NSHW (June to September 2020) in 39 public hospitals in Paris, France. Standard scales were used to measure mental health outcomes. Weighted multinomial logistic regression models supported the identification of predictors of depression (score > 10 on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS, for depression), anxiety (score > 10 on the HADS for anxiety), severe insomnia (score > 21 on the Insomnia Severity Index, ISI) and symptoms suggestive of post-traumatic stress disorder (score > 36 on the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, IES-R). RESULTS: The weighted prevalence rates [95% confidence interval] of depression, anxiety, severe insomnia, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder were, respectively, 18.9% [16.5-21.2], 7.6% [6.0-9.1], 8.6% [6.9-10.2] and 11.7% [9.7-13.6]. After multiple adjustment, organizational changes in NSHW professional lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic (such as moving to another hospital department and modified schedules) and NSHW-perceived negative representations of night work were significantly associated with all studied mental health outcomes. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm the importance of monitoring mental health and sleep quality among NSHW in Parisian public hospitals, even more during health crises. Multilevel interventions aiming at reducing negative representations and improving work organization are urgently needed to improve overall health of this frontline healthcare providers group.

Social and professional recognition are key determinants of quality of life at work among night-shift healthcare workers in Paris public hospitals (AP-HP ALADDIN COVID-19 survey).

OBJECTIVE: Documenting the perceptions and experiences of frontline healthcare workers during a sanitary crisis is key to reinforce healthcare systems. We identify the determinants of quality of working life (QWL) among night-shift healthcare workers (NSHW) in Paris public hospitals shortly after the first-wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: The ALADDIN cross-sectional online survey (15 June to 15 September 2020) collected QWL, socio-economic, behavioral, and work-related information among 1,387 NSHW in the 39 hospitals of the Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP). Data were weighted (margin calibration) to be representative of the entire population of 12,000 AP-HP hospitals' NSHW regarding sex, age, and professional category. Linear regression was used to identify correlates of QWL (WRQoL scale). RESULTS: New night position during the COVID pandemic, difficulties in getting screened for COVID, and considering protective measures inadequate were associated with poorer QWL, after adjustment for socio-economic characteristics, professional category, perceived health, physical activity, and history of harassment at work. Under-estimation of night-shift work by day-shift colleagues, reporting night work as a source of tension with friends, or feeling more irritable since working at night also impaired QWL. By contrast, satisfaction regarding COVID information received from the employer, and feeling valued by the general population during the pandemic improved QWL. CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient access to screening, information, and protective measures impaired QWL of NSHW after the first wave of COVID-19 in Paris public hospitals. Social and professional recognition of night-shift work were the key determinants of QWL in this population.

Use of psychoactive substances by night-shift hospital healthcare workers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study based in Parisian public hospitals (ALADDIN).

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychoactive substance (PAS) use in night-shift healthcare workers (NSHW) during France's first COVID-19 wave (March-May 2020). DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional online survey. SETTING: 39 public hospitals in the Assitance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) network in the Parisian area. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1238 nurses, assistant nurses, X-ray technicians, managers, lab technicians, midwives and childcare assistants working at night or alternating between days and nights answered the questionnaire. INTERVENTION: Online survey. OUTCOME MEASURES: PAS use prevalence after weighting data for sex, age and profession using calibration on margins, in order to be representative of all AP-HP NSHW. We used the Fagerström scale and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Concise to assess PAS use. RESULTS: The weighted estimated prevalences of daily smoking, alcohol drinking and tranquilliser use in participating NSHW were 21.4, 1.3 and 2.4%, respectively. Twelve per cent (11.7%) of our study sample used opioids. During the first COVID-19 wave, PAS use remained stable except for tobacco use, with 8.6% of participants reporting an increase. Previous 3-month prevalences of tranquilliser and opioid use were significantly higher than in the general population. CONCLUSION: Daily smoking (especially in younger men) and tranquilliser and opioid use were highly prevalent in NSHW in the AP-HP network during France's first COVID-19 wave. Specific interventions for quitting smoking and addressing determinants of tranquilliser and opioid use in NSHW need to be developed and evaluated to improve quality of life in these essential, underdiagnosed and undertreated health personnel.