Predictors of Poor Sleep Quality in Elderly Individuals in Western Iran: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

TL;DR

This study found that stress and household roles are linked to poor sleep in elderly people in Western Iran, while having children nearby may help.

Contribution

Identifies novel social and psychological predictors of poor sleep quality in elderly populations in Western Iran.

Findings

44.7% of elderly participants had poor sleep quality.

Higher stress levels significantly increase the risk of poor sleep quality.

Having children in the household reduces the risk of poor sleep quality.

Abstract

Background: Poor sleep quality in the elderly is a prevalent issue that can significantly impact overall health and quality of life. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of sleep disorders and the factors contributing to poor sleep quality among older adults in Western Iran.

Study Design: This is a cross-sectional study.

Methods: This study involved 403 elderly people. The following tools were employed to collect data: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Leisure and Pleasure Activities Database (a quality-of-life tool), the standardized Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT)for cognitive assessment. A backward stepwise selection method was employed to finalize the variables for multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results: The overall prevalence of poor sleep quality was 44.7%. With each one-point increase in stress, the likelihood of experiencing poor sleep quality increases significantly (adjusted OR: 1.09, P<0.001). The number of children in the household was found to have a protective effect against poor sleep quality (adjusted OR=0.63, P=0.008). Furthermore, elderly individuals working as housekeepers had higher odds of poor sleep quality than those employed elsewhere (adjusted OR=7.45, P=0.005).

Conclusion: A significant association was observed between elevated stress levels and poor sleep quality. Interestingly, the presence of children in the household appeared to offer a protective effect. Conversely, individuals in household management roles faced a dramatically increased risk of poor sleep quality. These findings offer preliminary evidence for the potential effectiveness of early interventions and prevention strategies designed to improve sleep quality and reduce social frailty in the elderly.