Factors Affecting Sleep Quality in Older Adults in Amol, Iran: A Causal Study

Poor sleep quality is one of the most common problems in older population. Sleep disorder has negative effects on physical, mental, and social aspects of their life and influences their quality of life.  This study was carried out to assess the sleep quality and its related factors in older adults.

This cross-sectional study was conducted in older adults aged 60 years and over living in Amol, north of Iran who were willing to participate in the study, did not have Alzheimer's disease and major depression, and could respond to questions. They were selected via multi-stage random sampling. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), SF36 Quality Of Life Questionnaire, and Physical Activity Scale For The Elderly (PASE) were used for data collection. A trained researcher filled out the research questionnaires.

Among 401 participants, 191 (47.6%) were women and 276 (68.8%) people were living in urban areas. Findings showed that 192 (47.9%) people had poor sleep quality. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed significant relationships between sleep quality and taking sleeping drugs (adjusted OR: 6.57, 95% CI: 2.95-14.60, P=0.001), female gender (aOR: 5.40, 95% CI: 2.81-10.36, P=0.001), and depression (aOR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.21-1.00, P=0.05), and also between physical (aOR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95-1.01, P=0.05) and mental (aOR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.99, P=0.05) aspects of life.

Findings revealed a high prevalence of poor sleep quality in the elderly which was associated with female gender, taking sleeping drugs, and depression. So, appropriate interventions are suggested to improve sleep quality in older adults.