Studies show shiftwork is harmful

Lamp, The, April, 2008

The last time nurses' penalty rates were reviewed was in 1975. Since then there has been a huge expansion in the understanding of the effects of shiftwork and in particular the underlying physiological factors that impact on shiftworkers.

While some shiftworkers can, over time, partially adapt to the disruption of the circadian rhythm, there is a proportion of shiftworkers who do not. It is estimated that 5 to 10% of shiftworkers suffer from what is now known as Shiftwork Sleep Disorder. These shiftworkers experience insomnia, excessive sleepiness, headaches, irritability, reduced concentration and a lack of energy that does not reduce over time.

Empirical studies on groups of shiftworkers conducted overseas show that shiftwork significantly increases a number of life-threatening physiological changes.

Research studies over the past 15 years have consistently found that shiftworkers have increased risks of:

* breast cancer;

* cardio-vascular disease;

* gastro-intestinal disorders, including peptic ulcers;

* reproductive health problems, such as pre-term births, low birth weight, spontaneous abortion and reduced fecundity. Most disturbingly, many of these risks were found to be higher in shiftworkers working on a rotating roster system. This is the same roster system for the overwhelming majority of nurses in the NSW public health service.

While there are a number of overseas studies on shiftwork and nurses, very little detailed work has been undertaken in Australia. One such study was undertaken by the Centre for Sleep Research in South Australia. This study explored the effects of shiftwork on the social and domestic life and well-being of female shiftworkers. The study found that:

* the majority of nurses and midwives and their partners perceived that shiftwork was highly disruptive to joint social life, and a significant cause of family conflict;

* night shiftwork was more disruptive to the nurses' and midwives' psychological, social and, to a lesser extent, physiological well-being;

* 44% of nurses and midwives were unhappy about working shiftwork;

* 28% of partners had tried to persuade their partner to give up shiftwork.

The study outcomes were consistent with previous findings from both male and female shiftworkers. However, female nurses and midwives reported a greater amount of social and domestic disruption than that found in studies of male shiftworkers. The authors noted that this may be related to female shiftworkers' additional domestic responsibilities. Alternatively, it may be caused by the variable shift rosters worked by nurses and midwives in contrast to the more structured shift patterns typically worked by other shiftworkers.

TAKING OUR CAMPAIGN TO FACEBOOK

The NSWNA has created a campaign information group on the social networking website Facebook to allow nurses, midwives and members of the community to participate in the campaign and recruit friends into supporting our claims. It is another way we can build support for our campaign with a wider audience. So if you are a Facebook user, join the group by searching for Fair Conditions. Fair Pay. Nurses Stay. It's that simple in the Groups application--or go to www.facebook. com/group.php?gid=24057856064 and invite your friends to join our online campaign.