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Published on: August 8, 2019
Association Between Physical Work Environment During Work From Home and Sleep During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A
Keiki Hirashima1, Makoto Okawara, Seiichiro Tateishi
1From the Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan (K.H., M.O., Y.F.); Disaster Occupational Health Center, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan (S.T.); Department of Mental Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan (H.E.); Department of Environmental Health, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan (M.T.); Department of Work Systems and Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan (A.O.); Department of Occupational Health Practice and Management, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan (K.M.); and Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan (S.M.).
Objective:
The work environment during work from home (WFH) may have a negative impact on workers' health. We investigated the effects of the physical work environment during WFH on sleep.
Methods:
We conducted a 1-year cohort study of 2099 Japanese WFH workers. We used eight questions about the physical work environment during WFH as independent variables and the Athens Insomnia Scale as the dependent variable. We performed multilevel logistic regression with residence as a random effect.
Results:
With the exception of one item, nonconformity with recommendations for the physical work environment during WFH was significantly associated with sleep problems. Further, the number of nonconformities and sleep problems showed a graded relationship.
Conclusion:
An inappropriate physical work environment during WFH may be associated with sleep problems.
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