O-229 Time schedule and the total amount of night shifts in relation to depression among Hong Kong nurses

Introduction

Night shift work has recently been recognized as an important occupational hazard linked with depression. However, the extent to which shift workers’ mental well-being is negatively affected by night shift exposure has rarely been assessed. This study examined the association between cumulative night shift work exposure and the risk of depression.

Material and Methods

A cross-sectional study, using a computer-based questionnaire, was conducted among Hong Kong nurses between March and May 2022. Social demographic information and detailed shift work history (frequency of morning/evening/night shift and timetable, number of years and nights worked) were collected. Depression was assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Logistic regression model adjusting for relevant covariates was used to assess the association between depression and night shift exposure. Ethics approval: CREC 2021.228

Results

A total of 866 (82.6%) female nurses and 182 (17.4%) male nurses responded, with an average age of 33.5±7.2 years. The mean duration of night shift work of the nurses was 8.3±7.0 years and their cumulative night shifts worked were 364.0±364.5 night-shift years. Multivariate logistic regression showed that every 10 night-shift year increments were associated with depression (adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 1.01, CI: 1.00, 1.02). Additionally, the risk became more prominent and significant among those who ended nighttime work between 6 and 7 AM (aOR: 8.66, CI: 1.04, 72.15) compared to those who ended between 8 and 12 noon. Moreover, in comparison to female nurses, male nurses were more susceptible to depression (aOR: 1.82, CI: 1.03, 3.22).

Conclusions

This study found a significant association between nurse night shift work and depression. Furthermore, the results showed that male sex and those who ended nighttime work between 6 and 7 AM may contribute an elevated risk of depression. The results suggested a further investigation into circadian disruption and gender disparity in certain vocational scenarios. [HMRF#COVID1903008 & VCDFIII-136366853, shelly@cuhk.edu.hk]