Actual Sleeping Habits and Related Factors Observed in Workers in the Electrical Machinery Manufacturing Sector

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to clarify sleeping habits and factors related to sleep for workers engaged in the electrical machinery manufacturing, and to obtain insights for occupational healthcare staff providing sleep related assistance.

Method: 645 employees of Company A, an electrical machinery equipment manufacturer, were surveyed. The survey was a self-evaluation of sleeping habits conducted using the Athens Insomnia Scale’s 8 items version, and covered the subject’s average sleeping time, sleeping environment, daily life, and sleep awareness. Survey items also included a self-evaluation of each factor related to sleep, factors associated with average sleeping time, calculation of correlation co-efficients, χ² tests and multiple logistic regression analyses.

Results: Insomnia was found to be of no concern to 49.7% of the subjects surveyed, while 23.6% showed some indication of insomnia and 26.7% were suspected of insomnia. The average sleeping time was 5 hours and 49 minutes. A somewhat strong correlation was observed between the self-assessment of sleep and average sleeping time. A significant relationship between the self-evaluation of factors and sleep was evident in 13 out of 40 items such as stress at work and trouble with human relations at work. In addition, the multiple logistic regression results, which illustrated a significant relationship between self-assessment and pertinent factors, showed a strong correlation between the following 4 items: Presence or absence of a co-inhabitant, Childcare, Fatigue recovery through sleep and Needs required for better understanding sleep.

Conclusion: From the results of this study it is clear that assistance based on one’s work environment and lifestyle is necessary to ensure consistent sleeping habits. In order for workers to continue working while maintaining good sleeping habits it is necessary for occupational healthcare workers to have a clear understanding of any given situation to provide careful support.