Factors associated with sleep quality among Afghan healthcare workers

Background and Aims Sleep is a complex physiological process during which the body and mind enter a period of rest. For a healthy lifestyle, different cohort groups can be affected in different ways. One such cohort is healthcare workers (HCWs)-an unexplored group in Afghanistan. Therefore, the present study examined the association between a range of sociodemographic factors including having night shift work and sleep quality among Afghan HCWs. Methods A cross-sectional survey was administered in January 2023 among HCWs (N = 342) in the Herat province of Afghanistan. The survey examined sleep quality and its association with a range of sociodemographic factors among HCWs. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association of sleep quality with sociodemographic characteristics among HCWs. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess the sleep quality among HCWs. Results A total of 342 HCWs participated in the present study with an age range of 18 to 60 years. The mean age of the participants was 28.90 years (SD +/- 8.10). Just over half of the participants were male (50.3%). Of the 342 participants, 58.5% reported poor sleep quality. Being married status, having higher number of children, not being a doctor, having low economic status, working night shifts, and having a traumatic event occur during past month were among the main variables associated with sleep quality among Afghan HCWs. Multiple regression analysis indicated that having high income [negatively] (AOR = 4.132, p = 0.002), working night shifts [positively] (AOR = 0.288, p < 0.001), and having a traumatic event occur during past month [positively] (AOR = 0.504, p = 0.007) were significantly associated with sleep quality. Conclusion The study suggests the need for Afghan health employers to create a healthy work environment that prioritizes the well-being of their employees by limiting overtime hours, providing rest breaks during long shifts, and ensuring that HCWs have access to necessary resources for coping with work-related stressors. These policies would promote the overall health and well-being of the workforce and would likely lead to better patient care outcomes.