Objective:

To investigate the association of shift work with hospital-treated infections, specifically focusing on the types of infections, and explore the mediating role of lifestyle factors.

Key Findings:

• Shift work is associated with a higher incidence of hospital-treated infections, with a specific increase in risk ratios.
• Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and BMI may mediate the relationship between shift work and infection risk.
• Participants engaged in shift work exhibited poorer health behaviors compared to non-shift workers, indicating a need for targeted interventions.

Interpretation:

The findings suggest that shift work may increase susceptibility to infections, potentially mediated by unhealthy lifestyle choices, highlighting the need for public health strategies.

Limitations:

• The study relies on self-reported data for lifestyle factors, which may introduce bias.
• The observational nature of the study limits causal inferences, and potential confounding factors were not fully controlled.

Conclusion:

Shift work is linked to an increased risk of hospital-treated infections, highlighting the need for health interventions targeting shift workers' lifestyle factors, such as promoting healthier behaviors.