Screening for insomnia disorders among flight crews in Tunisia

Introduction Flight crew members are subjected to various stressors that can disrupt their sleep-wake cycle, leading to a higher prevalence of sleep disorders. Objectives to assess the prevalence of sleep disturbances among flight crew members of a private airline company in Tunisia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted involving flight crew members employed by a private airline in Tunisia who underwent periodic medical examinations at the Occupational Medicine and Pathology Department in a University Hospital in Sousse. Data collection included socio-demographic information, lifestyle habits, and professional details, gathered through a structured questionnaire. The Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI) was used to screen for insomnia disorder. Results The study included 160 participants, predominantly female (60%). Sixty-five percent of the population was over 40 years old. A significant majority (58.8%) were smokers, while 41.3% consumed alcohol. Coffee consumption was high, with 84.4% of participants reporting regular consumption. Regarding professional data, 71.3% of participants were flight attendants, with a median length of service of 15 years. The majority of participants (65%) had flown medium-haul flights (less than 5 hours) in the preceding month. Insomnia was reported in 23.1% of participants. Conclusions Our findings highlight the importance of screening for sleep disorders through periodic medical examinations which can significantly contribute to improving sleep quality, enhancing alertness, and ultimately enhancing aviation safety. Disclosure of Interest None Declared