Introduction:

Healthcare workers are subjected to stressors related to the development of sleep disorders. This study evaluates the characteristics of sleep in healthcare workers in the southern area of Madrid.

Method:

During December 2021 and January 2022, an anonymous survey with self-administered questionnaires that included demographic data was carried out in the hospitals of Móstoles, Getafe, Fuenlabrada and Alcorcón., GAD-7 Anxiety Scale, Pittsburgh Index (PSQI), and Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI).

Results:

We obtained a sample of 329 people. 83.3% of healthcare workers suffer from anxiety, with the variables auxiliary nursing and shift work being the most affected. 85% presented poor sleep quality, with the most significant variables being nursing assistants with more than 15 years of experience and dependent family members. Sleep hygiene is distributed between good hygiene (48%) and poor hygiene (52%). A mean age of 37.43 years, less than five years of experience, single, and not having dependent family members was associated with poor hygiene.

Conclusions:

We conclude that health workers have poor sleep quality and anxiety, particularly nursing assistants. Having worked for more than fifteen years was related to poor sleep quality. Another aspect to highlight is the relationship between shift work and anxiety. Singles with less than five years of experience and younger have poor sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene, anxiety and sleep quality are related. We must consider concrete protection and prevention measures for healthcare workers.