Sleep quality and insomnia during the COVID-19 lockdown among the Saudi public: A cross-sectional study

Saudi Med J. 2021 Apr;42(4):384-390. doi: 10.15537/smj.2021.42.4.20200735.

Abstract

Objectives: To measure the Saudi population's sleep quality during the lockdown of COVID-19.

Methods: An internet-based questionnaire that was performed during the lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Saudi population over 2 weeks from April 1 to April 15, 2020. We used the instant messaging application WhatsApp and Twitter to reach the targeted population. Saudi citizens and non-Saudi residents who can read and understand the questionnaire were recruited. Data were analyzed using Stata and SPSS.

Results: A total of 790 responses were included. The majority of participants were the Saudi population 735 (92.9%). The prevalence of insomnia and poor sleep quality were 54.4% and 55.5%, respectively. Saudi citizenship was associated with longer sleep duration (p=0.031). Female gender and being married were associated with worse global PSQI, sleep quality, sleep distribution, sleep latency, and daytime dysfunction.

Conclusion: Our findings showed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Saudi population had a high prevalence of insomnia and poor sleep quality. Routine monitoring of the psychological impact of life-threatening outbreaks and the adoption of effective early mental health actions should be considered.

Keywords: ASQ; COVID-19; PSQI; Saudi Arabia; cross-section; insomnia; sleep quality.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19*
  • Communicable Disease Control
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / epidemiology*
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marital Status / statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Public Policy
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Saudi Arabia / epidemiology
  • Sex Factors
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Sleep Latency
  • Sleep*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Unemployment / statistics & numerical data