Article,
Insomnia and its associated factors among elderly population in debre markos town, north west Ethiopia.
Journal of Mental Health and Aging, 8 (1): 01-09 (January 2024)
Abstract
Background: Insomnia is one of the most common sleep problems throughout the world which
affects 38% of the elderly population worldwide. It reduces psychomotor skills, memory, decisionmaking, and attention but there are few studies carried out about its prevalence and its factors in
the elderly population. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of insomnia and
its associated factors among the elderly population who live in Debre Markos town.
Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 423 study
participants. Participants were selected by computer-generated random number method.
Insomnia was assessed by Regensburg Insomnia Scale. The total score of the tool ranges from
0 to 40 points. Those individuals who scored above 12 are considered to have insomnia. Both
bivariable and multivariable logistic regression was performed. Variables with a p-value <0.25 in
the bivariable logistic regression were entered into multivariable logistic regression. The finding
was expressed with a 95% confidence interval and p < 0.05 was considered statically significant.
Results: The prevalence of insomnia was 280 (67.3%). Poor sleep hygiene (AOR= 8.91, 95% CI
5.121-15.524), low level of income (AOR=2.94 95% CI 1.293 - 6.7), poor social support (AOR =
2.91, 95% CI 1.316 - 6.471), anxiety (AOR=2.54 95% CI, 1.439 - 4.489), and not educated (AOR=
2.59, 95% CI, 1.082 - 6.237) were statistically significant factors for insomnia.
Conclusion: The prevalence of insomnia among the elderly population was relatively high.
Being uneducated, having low income, poor social support, anxiety, and poor sleep hygiene
was significantly associated with insomnia, and recommended that health care providers better
include reduction of risk factors in the health education programs.
