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. 2024 May 29;14(1):12373.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-61311-z.

Changes in sleep patterns in primary care workers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022 in Shanghai: a cross-sectional study

Wenshu Cao #  1 , Xiaoting Li #  2 , Yini Yan #  1 , Jianfeng Zhou  1 , Jizhong Ye  3 , Qiwei Lv  4
Affiliations

Changes in sleep patterns in primary care workers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022 in Shanghai: a cross-sectional study

Wenshu Cao et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly affected the sleep health of healthcare workers (HCWs); however, no studies have assessed this effect in primary HCWs. This cross-sectional, web-based study explored the prevalence and factors associated with sleep disorders among primary HCWs during the first COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai from 12 July to 15 August 2022. Sociodemographic and work-related characteristics, various sleep dimensions, and exposure to patients with COVID-19 were assessed. They were screened for common mental disorders (depression, burnout, and stress). Overall, 313 primary HCWs were recruited. At least one sleep dimension in 84% of respondents deteriorated compared with that observed pre-pandemic; sleep quality (decline of 66%) and daytime sleepiness (increase of 56%) were the most affected domains. After excluding 145 primary HCWs with pre-pandemic 'poor sleep', depression (odds ratio [OR] 3.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59-5.98), weekly burnout symptoms (OR 2.57; 95% CI 1.32-5.03), and high psychological stress (OR 4.51; 95% CI 2.09-9.72) were associated with poor sleep patterns during the pandemic. After adjusting for significant differences between groups, for every 1-point increase in the Perceived Stress Scale score, an associated 12% increased risk of poor sleep (adjusted OR 1.12; 95% CI 1.05-1.21; p = 0.002) was observed. Most primary HCWs showed significant worsening of sleep quality, with increases in daytime sleepiness during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Shanghai. HCWs with high stress levels were at greater risks of sleep disorders.

Keywords: Burnout; COVID-19; Depression; Insomnia; Primary health care; Sleep.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage of respondents who reported good sleep habits (‘Often’, ‘Usually’, or ‘Always’) in each sleep dimension before and during the COVID-19 epidemic. Chi-square test showed that all the differences between before and during the epidemic were statistically significant, p < 0.001.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Proportion of respondents who reported the highest change in sleep patterns.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Proportions of respondents who showed a decline in sleep dimensions from the pre-pandemic levels.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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