Prevalence and pattern of sleep problems among older persons attending a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Akinola OA; Etukumana EA; Morgan UOM

doi:10.61386/imj.v7i2.448

Authors

Akinola OA Department of Family Medicine, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Etukumana EA Department of Family Medicine, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, NigeriaDepartment of Family Medicine, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Morgan UOM Department of Family Medicine, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61386/imj.v7i2.448

Keywords:

Sleep problems, Older persons, Uyo

Abstract

Background: Sleep disturbances are common symptoms in adults and are related to various factors, but they are not an inherent part of the ageing process.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of sleep problems among older persons attending the General Out-patient Clinics in a tertiary health-care facility in Uyo, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional descriptive study on older persons attending the GOP clinics of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. Using a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire, information on the sociodemographic characteristics and the sleep history of the respondents were obtained. Data entry and analysis were done using Epi info^® version 3.5.1.

Results: The prevalence of sleep problems was 64.5% with early awakening being the commonest sleep problem (50.5%) experienced by the respondents.

Conclusion: The prevalence of sleep problems is high in this study, and there is need for counselling of older persons on how to improve their sleeping habits.