Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The Australian mining industry operates 24/7/365 days per year, with operations often located in remote areas. This requires fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) shift workers to follow a roster-based work schedule and reside in camp accommodations between consecutive shifts. Initial research reported sleep difficulties in this population. This study evaluated sleep hygiene and sleep health and their respective relationships in FIFO shift workers in the mining industry in Australia. METHODS: Employing a cross-sectional study design, an online survey was disseminated between June 2023 and February 2024. Sleep hygiene was assessed using the Sleep Hygiene Index and sleep health was assessed using the Sleep Health Index. The sample comprised 488 respondents (139 females, average age: 39±12 years, average BMI: 28±5 kg/m2). RESULTS: Findings revealed average scores of 30±7 for the Sleep Hygiene Index and 73±16 for the Sleep Health Index. Better sleep hygiene was associated with better sleep health (β=-0.52, se=0.10, [-0.72, -0.33], p<0.05). Differences in Sleep Health Index scores were found between engagement frequencies for sleep hygiene practices related to sleep regularity, sleep environment, mental health, and time in bed (p<0.05 for all). No differences in Sleep Health Index scores were found between engagement frequencies for sleep hygiene practices related to substance consumption and exercise close to bedtime (p≥0.05 for all). DISCUSSION: This study suggests that shift workers in the mining industry may improve their sleep health by improving their sleep hygiene. Specifically, greater emphasis should be placed on improving sleep regularity, sleep environment, mental health, and time in bed.