# Data-driven insights into predictors of stress and sleep health among Pakistani healthcare workers under rotational shifts

## TL;DR

This study examines stress and sleep issues among Pakistani healthcare workers, finding that age is a key predictor of stress, with older workers experiencing higher levels.

## Contribution

The study identifies age as the strongest predictor of stress among healthcare workers in Pakistan, offering new insights for targeted mental health interventions.

## Key findings

- Age was the strongest predictor of stress, with mid- to late-career workers reporting higher stress levels.
- Perceived stress was a strong independent predictor of negative emotional states, even after adjusting for mental health history and work injuries.
- Female participants tended to report more stress than males, though the difference was not statistically significant.

## Abstract

Healthcare professionals in low- and middle-income countries often deal with persistent stress at work, driven by heavy workloads, irregular shift schedules, and limited institutional support. This cross-sectional study explored levels of stress, emotional well-being, sleep issues, and shift work-related challenges among healthcare workers in Pakistan. Overall, participants reported moderate levels of stress and sleep disturbances. Interestingly, positive emotions outweighed negative ones. Age stood out as the strongest predictor of stress; those in their mid to late careers experienced significantly higher stress levels. While female participants tended to report more stress than males, the difference wasn’t statistically significant. Marital status and exposure to secondhand smoke were linked to higher stress in univariate analyses, and higher body weight showed a slight association in adjusted models. However, factors like shift type and the number of weekly working hours didn’t significantly predict stress. Notably, perceived stress was a strong independent predictor of negative emotional states, even after accounting for past mental health issues and work-related injuries. Age emerged as the strongest predictor of stress, with mid- and late-career professionals reporting significantly higher levels than younger colleagues. These findings emphasize the need for age-sensitive mental health interventions and stress management strategies in healthcare settings.