Sex Differences in Sleep Disturbance Related to Rotating Shift Work: A Cross-Sectional Observation Study in Factory Employees

To examine the effects of rotating shift work on sleep, mainly focusing on the difference between the sexes. We conducted a sleep quality survey among factory workers using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index （PSQI） questionnaire. Out of 635 employees, 562 workers（ 319 male and 143 female workers, including 102 male and 18 female rotating shift workers, and 217 male and 125 female nonrotating workers） completed the PSQI questionnaire. Our results showed that women have generally better sleep quality, such as maintaining better concentration than men in dayshift workers. However, this superior sleep quality was not observed in female rotating shift workers. Furthermore, men have worse sleep quantity and quality, whereas female rotating shift workers have difficulty in staying awake during their work regardless of their sleep quantity and/ or quality. In conclusion, female rotating shift workers may experience problems, although their sleep quality and/or quantity does not seem to be worse.