ASSESEMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE (WHOQOL-BREF) IN NIGHT SHIFT WORKERS (RATRIJAGARANA)

Abstract

Background: WHOQOL- BREF is assessment of a multidimensional concept incorporating an individual’s perception of
health status, which is embedded in a physical, psychological, social, and environmental context. Various types of health
issues are common around the globe due improper sleep pattern and life style. Sleep deprivation can cause ill effects both
physically and psychologically. Ratrijagarana is rooksha which causes increase in vata and divaswapna causes snigdhata
(increases kapha) in our body. Out of total global employees, nearly 1/5th of them are shift workers. In the present
scenario, our society demands round the clock services in order to meet their needs. The present study was opted to
analyse the health status of the individuals who do night shift (ratrijagarana) due to their work pattern. Objective: To
Evaluate the Health Status through WHO-QOL BREF questionnaire in night shift workers. Methods: 208 night shift
workers were selected for this Survey study. WHO-QOL BREF Questionnaire was used for assessment of health status.
(As per inclusion and exclusion criteria) Results: Among 208 subjects 89.9% had moderate health status when assessed
with the WHO QOL Bref questionnaire. Maximum of 28.8 % had 56 percent of physical health status, 27.9% had 56
percent of psychological health status, 30.3% had 75 percent of socio-economic health status, 30.8% had 50 percent of
environmental health status. The Chi-square test is significant (p<0.0005) with WHO Bref questionnaires. Conclusion:
Health status of night shift workers was moderate. Night shift working (ratrijagarana) has an impact on the health status
of the individual by decreasing the physical, psychological and socio-economic health. Circadian misalignment is the
cause for Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD) and lead to Cognitive risks, Health risks and Social Risks of the individuals.