Korean J Fam Med.  2017 Mar;38(2):86-92. 10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.2.86.

The Association Between Shift Work and Health Behavior: Findings from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

• Bae MJ
• Song YM
• Shin JY
• Choi BY
• Keum JH
• Lee EA

• KMID: 2377480
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2017.38.2.86

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Shift workers are increasing worldwide, and various negative health effects of shift work have been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between shift work and health behavior.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study included a total of 11,680 Korean adults (6,061 men and 5,619 women) aged ≥20 years old who participated in the Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2010-2012. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between shift work and health behavior after adjusting for covariates.
RESULTS
In men, shift work was associated with an increased risk of inadequate sleep (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00 to 1.40) compared to day work. In women, shift work was associated with an increased risk of smoking (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.34 to 2.22) and inadequate sleep (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.47) compared to day work. In an age-stratified subgroup analysis, female shift workers aged ≥50 years old demonstrated an increased risk of smoking (OR, 5.55; 95% CI, 3.60 to 8.55), alcohol consumption (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.53 to 3.23), and inadequate sleep (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.05) compared to female day workers.
CONCLUSION
Shift work is associated with worse health behavior, and this is most evident in women aged ≥50 years. Targeted strategies to reduce the negative health effects of shift work should be implemented, with consideration of shift workers' demographic characteristics.

Keyword

Alcohol Abuse; Health Behavior; Sleep Disorders; Smoking; Work Schedule Tolerance

MeSH Terms

Adult
Alcohol Drinking
Alcoholism
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Behavior*
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Nutrition Surveys*
Sleep Wake Disorders
Smoke
Smoking
Work Schedule Tolerance
Smoke