Effect of Night Shift Work on Sleep Quality Among Nurses in Gombe State Specialist Hospital

Night shift work is an inherent feature of nursing practice that is known to disrupt circadian rhythms and adversely affect sleep quality, with downstream effects on health and performance. This study examined the effect of night shift work on sleep quality among nurses at Gombe State Specialist Hospital, North East Nigeria. A comparative cross-sectional design was employed, contrasting 90 night shift nurses with 90 day shift nurses matched on key demographic variables. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to measure sleep quality, and a structured questionnaire captured shift scheduling practices and related health complaints. Results showed that 73.3 percent of night shift nurses had poor sleep quality scores compared to 28.9 percent among day shift nurses. Night shift nurses reported significantly shorter sleep duration, higher sleep latency, and greater daytime dysfunction. Fatigue-related errors during clinical duties were self-reported by 44.4 percent of night shift nurses. Chronic insomnia symptoms were twice as common in the night shift group. Comorbid health conditions, including hypertension and gastrointestinal disorders, were more prevalent among nurses with extended night shift histories. The study urges hospital administration to implement evidence-based shift rotation schedules, provide rest facilities for night duty staff, and conduct regular sleep health assessments as part of occupational health services at Gombe Specialist Hospital. Keywords: night shift work, sleep quality, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, nurses, Gombe State.