Impact of Shift Work on Sleep Quality and Health of Nurses at Benue State University Teaching Hospital

Background: Shift work is inherent to hospital nursing and has well-documented effects on sleep quality, physical health, and patient care performance. Understanding these effects in Nigerian nursing contexts is essential for workforce health policy. Aim: This study assessed the impact of shift work on sleep quality and health outcomes among nurses at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, North Central Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey recruited 95 nurses across rotating shift categories through stratified sampling. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a health status questionnaire were administered. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26. Results: Sixty-seven percent of shift-working nurses reported poor sleep quality, and 54% reported at least one physical health complaint attributed to shift work, including fatigue, headaches, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Night shift nurses had significantly poorer sleep scores than day shift counterparts. Conclusion: Shift work substantially compromises nurse sleep and health in this Nigerian setting. Evidence-based shift scheduling, fatigue risk management programmes, and provision of rest facilities are necessary to protect nurse wellbeing and maintain patient care standards. Keywords: shift work, sleep quality, nursing, Benue, occupational health.