dc.description.abstract | Background: Chronic sleep problems are very common among older persons with insomnia being the most
common. It is often under-diagnosed and is often a symptom of other health problems. The population of older
persons in Uganda is rapidly increasing with expectation to double to 2.5 million by 2040 hence raising need
to address their concerns. Studies have documented the association between insomnia and aging. There are
changes in the sleep pattern as people age, with increasing prevalence of insomnia hence need to raise
concern. Insomnia among older persons results in daytime distress and impairment often accompanied by
depression, anxiety and cognitive changes which are all associated with a reduced quality of life and increased
mortality.
Objective: This study is aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with insomnia among older
persons attending medical outpatient clinics at Mulago Hospital.
Methods: This was across sectional study that involved participants aged 60 years and above attending the
medical outpatient clinic at Mulago Hospital. Using systematic random sampling, we enrolled every third
older person presenting to the clinics that met the inclusion criteria until a sample size of 385 was achieved.
After informed consent, a socio demographic questionnaire was used to collect social demographic data.
Screening for insomnia was done using the insomnia-screening questionnaire and insomnia was identified
using the insomnia severity index. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Dependent variable was
insomnia and the independent variables were social demographic, environmental, behavioral factors and
biological factors.
Results: The prevalence of insomnia illness among those aged 60 years and above was 33.5% (95% CI) using
the Insomnia Severity Index. Insomnia was significantly associated with education level, alcohol use for sleep,
social support, diabetes mellitus, arthritis and sleep apnea. Older persons with low education level (OR: 0.422,
95%CI: 0.229-0.777), no alcohol use for sleep (OR: 0.085; 95%CI: 0.006-1.156) and low perceived social
support (OR: 0.220:95%CI: 0.125-0.385) were more likely to develop insomnia. Older persons with diabetes
mellitus (OR: 0.377:95%CI: 0.204-0.696), arthritis (OR: 0.457:95%CI: 0.250-0.835) and sleep apnea (OR:
0.231:95%CI: 0.130-0.411) were also more likely to develop insomnia.
Conclusion: The prevalence of insomnia in older persons was found to be significant at 33.5% and was
associated with low education level, not using alcohol for sleep, low perceived social support, diabetes
mellitus, arthritis and sleep apnea. Insomnia should be screened and managed among older persons. | en_US |