Sleep quality among frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Colombian Caribbean region

Calidad del sueño en trabajadores de la salud que atendieron en pandemia de Covid 19 en el caribe colombiano

Introduction: in the age segmentation of the elderly, sleep disorders have become one of the most prevalent health problems in the contemporary world upon reaching middle age. Several studies have demonstrated a high rate of sleep disorders among healthcare workers. During the recent pandemic, these workers were negatively affected posing serious repercussions on their general health. Objective: to describe sleep quality and hygiene, among healthcare workers in the Colombian Caribbean region, during the third 2021 pandemic peak. Materials and Methods: a descriptive, observational study in a population of 220 healthcare workers who worked in hospitals and clinics in the Colombian Caribbean region, between January and March 2021, during the third pandemic peak. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) validated in Colombia, was used, with adaptations to sociodemographic data. Results: most participants were between 20 to 30 years of age (47.27%), 67.63% were females, 28.64% had professional nursing training and 33.64% had nursing assistant training. In terms of perception, 55.5% of respondents reported having poor sleep quality. According to the global PSQI which measures sleep quality, 60% (130) were poor sleepers. Conclusions: according to the results, many healthcare workers, especially nurses and assistant nurses, evidenced sleep quality deficiencies. Programs should be developed, to improve night shift workers well-being.