The impact of various work schedules on sleep complaints and minor accidents during work or leisure time: Evidence from a national survey

OBJECTIVE:: To explore the prevalence of insomnia symptoms and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in different work schedules and the impact of shift schedules on the risk of minor accidents during work or leisure time. METHODS:: Using the data from Taiwan Social Development Trend Survey in 2005 (n = 18,794), insomnia symptoms, EDS, and minor accidents were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS:: The evening-to-night group had significantly higher prevalence rates of insomnia symptoms. Higher prevalence rate of EDS was presented in both day-to-evening and evening-to-night groups. Adjusting for confounders, the day-to-evening shift had a higher odds ratio of minor accidents as compared with the fixed daytime workers. CONCLUSIONS:: Extended-shift workers tend to experience insomnia symptoms and EDS and have an increased likelihood of minor accidents.