Changes in work schedule affect headache frequency among Norwegian nurses: a 3-year-follow-up study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Epidemiology
• Nursing Research

Background:

• Night work and short rest periods are common in nursing.
• These work patterns may be associated with adverse health outcomes, including headaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between changes in work schedules, night shifts, and quick returns (less than 11 hours between shifts) and headache frequency.
• To explore the impact of these work-related factors on the health of Norwegian nurses.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study involving 1104 Norwegian nurses.
• Data collected via questionnaires in 2014 (baseline) and 2017 (follow-up).
• Work schedule, number of night shifts, quick returns, and headache diagnoses analyzed using adjusted multivariate regression.

Main Results:

• Changing from night work was linked to a higher likelihood of headache reversion.
• Reducing night shifts and quick returns also correlated with improved headache status.
• A decrease in night shifts specifically reduced the risk of new-onset headaches.

Conclusions:

• Modifying work schedules away from night shifts and decreasing night shifts and quick returns are associated with reduced headache prevalence in nurses.
• Findings support the hypothesis that night work has direct negative health consequences.