Factors related to difficulty sleeping in adults and older people registered with the Family Health Strategy

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors related to difficulty sleeping in adults and older people registered on the Family Health Strategy at Primary Care Health Centers. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional, quantitative study conducted in the town of Três Lagoas (MS, Brazil), with 300 people of both sexes, aged 45 years and over, registered on the town’s Family Health Strategy. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire containing questions on sociodemographics, health, and social support networks. The dependent variable difficulty sleeping was assessed using the question: “Do you have difficulty sleeping?” Data were analyzed with binomial logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of difficulty sleeping was 43% (95% confidence interval 37 – 49). According to the adjusted analyses, the following variables were associated with the outcome: female sex (Odds Ratio = 2.08; 95% confidence interval 1.21 – 3.60); number of medications per day (Odds Ratio = 1.18; 95% confidence interval 1.05 – 1.33); self-report of visual impairment (Odds Ratio = 3.56; 95% confidence interval 1.54 – 8.25); self-report of hearing loss (Odds Ratio = 2.28; 95% confidence interval 1.18 – 4.41); and social isolation (Odds Ratio = 2.01; 95% confidence interval 1.14 – 3.54). CONCLUSIONS: Identification of the principal factors related to complaints of insomnia is of relevance to support planning of care and of public policies, targeting improved sleep quality in people going through the aging process and beyond.