Observational study of sleep patterns in industrial workers employed in the Organised Sector

Industrial workers are exposed to various aspects of sleep deprivation resulting into accidents and other morbidities. This pilot survey was done to see the status of sleep and other effects in the organized sector industrial population of India.

Paucity of data from our country in organized sector from a social security scheme ESIC (Employees State Insurance Corporation) on this important but neglected topic prompted us to conduct this study.

Observational questionnaire based study.

This questionnaire-based survey of non-shift organized factory workers (N=179; male - 65, female-114, age ranging from 21 to 68 years) revealed that two-thirds of this study population was suffering from some type of sleep-related disorder. Snoring was found to be significantly associated with day time tiredness (p=0.016) and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) (p=0.0035). Workers with frightening dreams were significantly suffering from EDS [out of 9 (5.03%) subjects with frightening dreams, 5 had EDS (p=0.041)]. Grinding teeth during sleep was significantly associated with snoring (out of 11 (6.15%) of the subjects who has bruxism, 7 (63.64%) reported to have snoring (p=0.003)). Bruxism was also associated with EDS significantly (EDS was present in 9 (81.82%) p=0.00006). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is probably the first such sleep survey of workers who are earning there monthly wages ≤ Rs.15000. The findings of the study clearly outlines that despite normal body weight/body mass index; sleep related breathing disorders and other sleep ailments are a genuine problem.

Effect on day time activity; because of sleep, has a great bearing in the industrial production and harmony between workers and supervisors of the industrial population. Thus this could be a starting point in translational research to be undertaken in this nascent field amongst this susceptible and vulnerable population.