title: Health consequences of shift-work: the case of iranian hospital security personnel.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Shift-work, which is an ergonomics issue in workplaces, can negatively affect workers. The security personnel of medical centers in Iran have multiple responsibilities and consequently are exposed to such unwanted situations as observing patients, disputing with patient's attendants, unwanted shift schedules, and being away from family for long periods.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed health problems of Iranian hospital security personnel (shift-worker personnel) using the Survey of Shift-workers (SOS) questionnaire (Persian version).
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted in seven medical centers (4 hospitals and 3 clinics). A total of 416 workers were surveyed: shift-workers (exposed group) (n=209) and non-shift-workers (unexposed group) (n=207).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of adverse health effects was higher in shift-workers than day-workers. The level of education and mean Body Mass Index (BMI) in shift-workers were significantly higher compared with day-workers. The prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular and psychological problems were also significantly higher in shift-workers compared with day-workers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the prevalence of health problems among the security personnel of medical centers was high. Hence, it is recommended that personnel be put under periodic monitoring and receive medical counseling and treatment if there is any disorder.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Department, School of Health and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Roghayeh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abedini
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Department, School of Public Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soltanzadeh
authors.affiliation: Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Science, BandarAbbas, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Amin
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Faghih
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Department, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Heidar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Department, School of Health and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mojtaba
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamalinia
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Department, School of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Majid Habibi
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Mohraz
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Department, School of Health, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Maziyar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arassi
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Department, School of Health, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Peyman Piran
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Veyseh
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Department, School of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamed
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aghaei
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Department, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Younes
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hosseini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016495:Police / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance
keywords: SOS questionnaire; Shift-worker; day-worker; gastrointestinal disorders; medical centers