Effects of Shift Work on Food Choice Habits and Stress Levels of Nurses and Paramedics: A Cross-Sectional Study

Speaker(s)

Szabó-Galiba L1, Anita H2, Gubicskóné Kisbenedek A1, Tisza BB3, Verzár Z4, Pakai A5, Boncz I3, Keczeli V3
1University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 2University of Pécs, Kormend, VA, Hungary, 3University of Pécs, Pécs, BA, Hungary, 4University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, BA, Hungary, 5University of Pécs Faculty of Health Sciences, Szombathely, ZA, Hungary

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our research was to investigate the dietary and food choice habits of shift working paramedics and nurses. We also examined the stress levels of health care workers and their relationship with food choice habits and shift working.

METHODS: 208 (N=208) nurse and paramedics participated in the online, anonymous, non-representative questionnaire between 22/06/2023 and 25/02/2024 which consisted of 3 parts: sociodemographic data, questions about eating, -fluid consumption and food choice habits. The questionnaire included two validated questionnaires: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ). The level of significance was set at p<0.05 and IBM SPSS software was used for analysis.

RESULTS: Shift work clearly affects the dietary habits of health care workers (p=0.03) and may also affect the stress level (p=0.01). In terms of food choice habits, the most important factors were clearly convenience factors, the quicker, easier and simplest way to access food. During the night shift, significantly more people snacked (p=0.01), mostly to relieve stress and tension. Our results show that workers (n=75) who answered that they snack during their shifts are less conscious about meal planning (p=0.04). The highest stress levels were found among ambulance officers and inpatient ward workers (49 points). A significant relationship was found for medical education in relation to stress scores. Health workers with secondary education had higher stress scores than those, with at least a college degree (p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Shift work can have a negative impact on health, making it harder to develop healthy eating habits, and our research shows that nurses and paramedics who work multiple shifts are no exception. The focus is not on the healthiness of the food, but on products that are available as quickly and conveniently as possible. We believe that with proper education, however, eating habits can be changed.

Code

EPH62

Topic

Clinical Outcomes, Epidemiology & Public Health, Methodological & Statistical Research

Topic Subcategory

Clinician Reported Outcomes, Public Health, Survey Methods

Disease

Mental Health (including addition), Nutrition