Summary of Occupational Injuries related to Sleepiness in Indian Traditional Industries

Tyson Pate BIO 1615 March 29, 2014

Summary of Occupational Injuries related to Sleepiness in Indian Traditional Industries

Introduction This study is a cross-sectional study to evaluate sleepiness and association to injuries in Indian Traditional Industries. They focused on this group specifically because it has the highest rate for injury. Scientists did this research to decrease the rate of injury in the work-place. They used surveys and questionnaires to gather necessary information about the subjects symptoms and demographics. This information is important to the world because knowing the effects of sleep deprivation and the prevalence of it among occupational workers could help in decreasing the injury rate in the work-place. They are attempting to prove that sleepiness in employees leads to more occupational injuries. Materials and Methods Data was gathered from over nine hundred employees of small scale enterprises from two districts in India. Information gathered from these participants using surveys and questionnaires included the following topics: Sleep Questionnaire, Occupational Injury Data (yes or no), Evaluation of Depressive Symptoms, and a study of the subjects demographics. The results from these were compiled and organized into detailed table and statistics. Associations of sleep habits and occupational injury were identified with a series of individual univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses (Jaiswal, 2012). Results In the last year, 246 or 28.7% of the workers that were surveyed reported that they had an injury in the work-place. Of those that participated 39% had less than six hours of sleep. Almost half, at 46.9%, sleep was insufficient. Those that had difficulty initiating sleep was 16.8%,
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Summary of Occupational Injuries related to Sleepiness in Indian Traditional Industries

difficulty maintaining sleep was 8.3%, and early morning awakening was 6.6%. Those that show signs of insomnia were almost 24%. Sleeping that was very poor and/or not so well at night was 16.4%. Workers that report having difficulty waking up in the morning was just about onefourth. Using the above information, they calculated the unadjusted logistic regression analyses to have a significantly high prevalence for occupational injury (Jaiswal, 2012). This information is not surprising because as people become more tired they also become less aware and slower to react therefore allowing more opportunity for injury. Discussion Sleepiness from insomnia or difficulty initiating sleep, and poor sleep quality were greatly associated with occupational injuries. The present study showed that poor nocturnal sleep, such as difficulty maintaining sleep, insomnia symptoms, sleeping poorly at night, and insufficient sleep are related to occupational injury, which may have direct impact on safety at work, and long term business productivity (Jaiswal, 2012).The results of the study proved the hypothesis that sleepiness increases occupational injury. Allowing for naps and decreasing work related stress may help ease the problem of sleepiness at work. Data and research were sufficient to conclude the study with successful results of sleepiness, increases work injury, decreases safety and limits business productivity.

Summary of Occupational Injuries related to Sleepiness in Indian Traditional Industries

Bibliography Jaiswal, A. (2012). Occupational Injuries related to Sleepiness in Indian Traditional Industries. Human Biology Review, 248-267.