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

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.