investigation of shift work disorders among security personnel

in today’s advanced world resulting from the improvement of technology, societies tend to encounter a large number of problems and accidents. as we know, university’s security personnel are classified as shift workers and are exposed to health disturbing factors. the aim of this study was investigation of shift work disorders among security personnel of the hospitals affiliated to shiraz university of medical sciences, central. this case-control study was conducted among 130 security personnel as well as 130 unexposed employees among the security guards working day shifts and the office workers. the unexposed individuals were not working in shifts, but were similar to the shift workers regarding age and health status. data were collected using sos (survey of shift workers) questionnaire as well as measuring height, weight, and blood pressure of the shift workers in their work shifts. the findings revealed a significant difference between the two groups regarding the increase in blood pressure, sleep disorders, dissatisfaction in individual, family, and social lives, as well as increase in psychological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal disorders. moreover, these disorders were significantly higher among the shift workers. the study results suggest the necessity to pay more attention to the shift workers’ needs and problems, involving them in planning the shift schedules, and improving their working conditions.