BACKGROUND: Sleep is a fundamental essential biologic function. The circadian process organizes the sleep phases with the light and dark cycles. Activities that disrupt these biological processes, such as shift work, influence the development of sleep disorders.OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) among air traffic controllers (ATC); 2) To determine the factors that contribute to the occurrence of EDS; 3) To determine the effect of shift work on the sleeping pattern of ATC.STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross sectional, cohort study.METHODOLOGY: ATC and communicators from the air traffic offices were given a self-administered questionnaire which included the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and questions on sleeping habits and patterns.RESULTS: One hundred sixty eight (168) ATC and communicators participated in the study (46 percent response rate). Prevalence of EDS with an ESS score > 10 was 63 percent. The degree of ESS scores is not significant across age and between males and females (Fisher's exact = 0.19, p
Sleep