Insomnia among Elderly Inpatients in General Hospital and Physical Ward Environments

Abstract

          Sleep problem during hospitalization can affect illness course and recovery from illness, particularly among hospitalized elderly patients. This study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of insomnia among elderly inpatients and perceived associated factors of physical environment. Data were collected in April 2013 among 166 elderly patients who admitted to general wards of 5 departments and stayed in hospital for 1-3 nights. Athens Insomnia Scale and self-report questionnaires were used for data gathering. The result revealed that prevalence of insomnia was 30.1%. Fifty seven percent of the elderly felt uncomfortable while sleeping in hospital. Physical environments significantly associated with insomnia were temperature, light at night, air flow, patient clothes, noise from other patients, and beddings. The patients with insomnia and patients who had used hypnotic drugs during the past six months were associated with hospitalized insomnia. Anxiety and depression, although with low prevalence, were as well the factors associated with the problem.