ANALYSIS OF THE PREVALENCE OF SLEEP DISORDERS AMONG SHIFT WORKERS IN DUTSIN-MA METROPOLIS, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of sleep disorders among night-shift workers in
Dutsin-Ma Metropolis, Katsina State, Nigeria, examined occupational determinants, and
explored counselling implications. A cross-sectional survey design was employed. The target
population comprised 1,550 night-shift workers across healthcare, security, industrial, and
transport sectors. Using stratified random sampling, a purposive sample of 250 respondents
was selected. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating the
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Descriptive
statistics summarized prevalence, while chi-square tests, logistic regression, and ANOVA
tested the null hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. Analysis revealed high prevalence of
sleep disorders, with poor sleep quality (43.2%) and insomnia (36.8%) most common.
Significant associations were found between occupational category and insomnia (χ² = 12.47,
p = 0.006), while ANOVA confirmed differences in mean PSQI scores across occupational
groups (F = 5.62, p = 0.001). Healthcare and industrial workers reported the poorest sleep
outcomes. All null hypotheses were rejected, indicating significant prevalence, occupational
determinants, and counselling implications. Findings conclude that sleep disorders are
widespread among night-shift workers, driven by circadian disruption and occupational
stress. Counselling interventions grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
(CBT-I), sleep hygiene education, and stress management are essential. The study reinforces
the Biological Clock Theory, Job Demand-Control Model, and Cognitive Behavioral Theory,
providing a framework for occupational counselling practice.The researcher recommends
integrating counselling services into workplace health programmes, mandating regular sleep
health assessments through national policy, adopting flexible shift schedules to reduce
circadian disruption, and developing training programmes to equip counsellors with
specialized skills in sleep health interventions.