Sleep plays a role in normal metabolism and immunity. Short
sleep duration and circadian misalignment are hypothesized to causally contribute to health problems including obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, mood
disorders, cognitive impairment and excess health care use. Sleep and
breathing are tightly linked. Sleep
related breathing disorders (SBD) are quite common in the general population. Snoring and obstructive
sleep apnea (OSA) are the main SBD for which children and adults are now-a days referred to
sleep disorder centers. Accurate screening for
sleep problems is essential. Economic estimates demonstrate that
sleep disorders are associated with large financial and non-financial costs. The greatest financial costs appear to be non-medical costs
related to loss of productivity and accident risk.
The aim of this study
The aim of this study was to screen and determine the prevalence of sleep breathing problems and sleep disturbances among health related employees and workers at Fayoum University hospitals.
Methods
Data were collected from 159 subjects who were employed as a health care worker at Fayoum University hospitals. All patients completed self-administered screening and Berlin questionnaires.
Results
The prevalence of sleep disturbance was 18 (11.3%). Daytime sleep problems were 16.3 ± 5.02 and nocturnal sleep problems were 12.5 ± 4.92. Insomnia was reported in 34%. Snoring was reported in 12.6%. Sleep dissatisfaction was reported in 32.1%.
Conclusion
Our findings indicate that the daytime somnolence is common among health care workers followed by nocturnal sleep problems. Urbanization and large scale of industrialization can explain the incidence of sleep problems among rural living.