Assessment of insomnia and fatigue in nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented strain on health professionals and it is still a chronic stressor that continues to be in development, with unknown long-term psychological consequences. Aim: To assess insomnia and fatigue in nursing staff almost two years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, in relation to sociodemographic and
occupational characteristics. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study, which was conducted from mid-November to mid-December 2021. The sample consisted of nursing staff (registered nurses and nursing assistants), from five tertiary public hospitals in Athens, who completed the questionnaire of socio-demographic and occupational characteristics, the Athens Insomnia
Scale (AIS) and the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS). Results: The sample consisted of 404 participants (335 females and 69 males) with a mean age of 42.88±10.90 years and with 17.96±12 years of work. 61.4% of participants experienced insomnia and 60.4% experienced fatigue. Regarding gender, women were found to present higher levels of insomnia and fatigue (t-test, p<0.05 and p<0.001 respectively). High positive correlations were shown between the Athens Insomnia Scale, the Fatigue Rating Scale and its subscales (Pearson’s r, p<0.001). Age presented a negative correlation with the Physical Fatigue Subscale (Pearson’s r, p<0.05). Working in rotating shifts, having a chronic health problem, non-compliance of 11hour resting period between two shifts, and not being satisfied with work were found to correlate with higher levels of insomnia and fatigue (t-test, p<0.05). Additionally, clinical nurses showed higher levels of fatigue (t-test, p<0.05). Working in the wards of patients with Covid-19 was not
found to relate with the levels of insomnia and fatigue (t-test, p>0.05). Education level and marital status (number of family members) were not found relate with levels of insomnia and fatigue (Anova, p>0.05). Conclusions: Nursing staff appear to continue experiencing high levels of insomnia and fatigue, especially female. Occupational characteristics, such as shift work, not taking 11 hours of rest between shifts, job dissatisfaction and the presence of a chronic health condition, were found to correlate with higher levels of insomnia and fatigue, while clinical nurses appeared to have higher levels of fatigue.