Prevalence and correlates of total sleep time among the older adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh

Abstract

Purpose: The present study was aimed to identify inappropriate sleep duration and its correlates among the Bangladeshi older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 1030 older adults aged 60 years and above in Bangladesh. Information was collected through telephone interviews using a pretested semi-structures questionnaire installed in SurveyCTO mobile app. Sleep duration was defined as total sleep time (TST) in last 24 h including day and nighttime sleep. TST was further categorized into shorter (8 h) according to 2015 National Sleep Foundation guideline. The multinomial logistic regression model identified the factors associated with sleep duration. Results: Mean TST was 7.9 h (SD=1.62). Of the total participants, 28.2% had longer and 17.8% shorter sleep duration. In the regression model, participants’ age of ≥80 years (OR: 3.36, 1.46–7.73), monthly family income of <5,000 Bangladeshi Taka (OR: 3.50, 1.79–6.82), difficulty in getting medicine during COVID-19 (OR: 1.72, 1.05–2.82), lack of communication during the pandemic (OR: 2.20, 1.43–3.40) and receiving COVID-19 related information from friends/family/neighbours (OR: 1.83, 1.11–3.01) were significantly associated with shorter TST. On the other hand, monthly family income of < 5,000 Bangladeshi Taka (OR: 2.00, 1.13–3.53), difficulty in getting medicine during COVID-19 pandemic (OR: 2.01, 1.33–3.03) and receiving COVID-19 related information from radio/TV (OR: 2.09, 1.22–3.59) were associated with longer TST. Conclusions: The study findings suggest implementing sleep management program for older adults in Bangladesh, particularly during emergencies like COVID-19.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Total sleep time
• Inappropriate sleep duration
• Older adults
• Bangladesh