Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences

Published by : PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL PUBLICATIONS

ISSN 1681-715X

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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Volume 26

July - September 2010

Number  3


 

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Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding sleep
 and sleep hygiene among patients presenting
to out-patient and emergency room services
at a Teaching Hospital in Karachi

Waris Qidwai1, Maryam Baqir2,
Syed Muhammad Baqir3, Seerat-uz-Zehra4

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To study the knowledge, attitude and practices with regards to sleep and sleep hygiene among patients visiting the Out-Patient and Emergency Room services at a teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. 

Methodology: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Out-Patient and Emergency Room services of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. The questionnaire included demographic profile of the participant and questions based on the study objective. The details of the study were explained to the participants, a written Informed Consent was taken and confidentiality was assured. Those who could not read or write or understand English were assisted accordingly. 

Results: Three hundred seventy six respondents were interviewed, the majority being women (57.7%) and married (62.2%). A majority 212 (56.4%) respondents were between 25 and 49 years of age. The majority of the respondents had acquired above grade X (Matriculation) education, and were either students or housewives or in private service. The mean number of hours of sleep per day was 7.03 hours. About 60.4% of the respondents sleep 6-8 hours and 23.7% of the respondents believe sedatives should be used in case of insomnia while 9.0% of the respondents actually take sleeping pills. Only 33.8% of the respondents always feel fresh on waking up in the morning. Disruptions and snoring during sleep have been reported. About 27.1% of the respondents have rated their sleep quality as five or less, based on the rating scale 1-10 with 10 being highest quality.

Conclusion: Sleep and sleep hygiene  is a neglected area of clinical care requiring further research and intervention in terms of educational programs for patients.

KEY WORDS: Sleep, Sleep Hygiene, snoring, Insomnia.

Pak J Med Sci    July - September 2010    Vol. 26 No. 3    629-633

How to cite this article:

Qidwai W, Baqir M, Baqir SM, Zehra S. Knowledge, attitude and practices regarding sleep and sleep hygiene among patients presenting to out-patient and emergency room services at a Teaching Hospital in Karachi. Pak J Med Sci 2010;26(3):629-633


1. Dr. Waris Qidwai
Professor & Chair,
Department of Family Medicine. 
2. Maryam Baqir
Medical Student,
Class of 2013.
3. Dr. Syed Muhammad Baqir
Assistant Professor,
Department of Emergency Medicine
4. Dr. Seerat-uz-Zehra
Senior Medical Officer,
Community Health Centre.
1-4: The Aga Khan University Hospital,
Karachi, Pakistan.

Correspondence:

Dr. Waris Qidwai
E-mail: waris.qidwai@aku.edu

* Received for Publication: December 4, 2009

* Revision Received: December 8, 2009

* 2nd Revision Received: March 31, 2010

* Final Revision Accepted: April 9, 2010



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