Employee sleep evaluation during the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary university hospital, Athens-Greece

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Sleep is necessary for humans. Occupation competes with and affects sleep. Objective(s) This study aims to evaluate employees' sleep in a Tertiary University Hospital as an early index of their health status. Method(s) 38 employees (36.84% men) with a mean age of 44 +/- 9 participated in this pilot study during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sleep and daytime sleepiness were assessed through 3 interviewer- administered questionnaires Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Frequency distributions of professional, cognitive, and psychosomatic parameters were compared among those with and without sleep disturbance or sleepiness. Healthcare professionals were compared with non-medical staff. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed using the chi2test at the p < 0.05 level of significance. Result(s) 74% of employees were poor sleepers (PSQI >= 5), 50% had insomnia symptoms (AIS >= 6), 18% had chronic insomnia and 32% had daytime sleepiness (ESS >= 10). 21% reported a negative impact of the pandemic on their sleep. Poor sleepers were younger (42.39 +/- 9.68) and evening types (p = 0.01). 79% and 57% reported decreased mental status and premature aging (p = 0.02, p = 0.04 respectively). One in three had headaches and one in two had poor concentration compared to none of good sleepers (PSQI < 5). 75% and 86% supported that occupation and workload affected their sleep (p = 0.002, p = 0.02 respectively). 86% reported that they were subjected to occupational control (p = 0.02) and 71% stated that they held a high responsibility position (p = 0.02). Most of poor sleepers reported decreased job productivity, 18% reported presentism compared to none of good sleepers, and 82% reported occupational errors (p = 0.01). Employees with ESS>=10 were overweight, 75% had AIS>=6, stating illness during their job (p = 0.03), and 50% had morning headaches (p = 0.002). Healthcare professionals reported disturbed sleep (p = 0.08), being affected by workload (p = 0.01) while claiming that they held a position of responsibility with no reward, (p = 0.01, p = 0.08 respectively). Conclusion(s) In this study, personnel of a large hospital present insomnia symptoms and daytime sleepiness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Occupational parameters may impact employees' sleep with healthcare staff more affected. The insomniac-obese phenotype with headache and sleepiness is characterized by increased morbidity rates.