Sleep Duration and Sleep Hygiene Among Rural and Urban Residents in District Etawah of Uttar Pradesh: A Community Based Comparative Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Sleep deprivation include physical effects (sleepiness, fatigue, hypertension) cognitive impairment (deterioration of performance, attention and motivation; reduction in mental focus and intelligence, as well as a rise in the possibility of workplace and traffic accidents) and mental health issues. Objectives: To assess and compare sleep duration and sleep hygiene with their associated factors among rural and urban residents of a district of Uttar Pradesh. Material and Methods: This cross?sectional study was conducted in Etawah district, UP, from January 2022 to June 2022.  All residents of rural and urban areas were included using multistage sampling. Study tool included a questionnaire which collected sociodemographic information, sleep duration, and sleep hygienic practices using sleep hygiene index. Results: In this study, 240 participants each from the rural and urban areas were included. The mean duration of sleep among the participants in rural and urban areas was 7.40±1.22 and 8.18±1.30 h during the workdays whereas, 7.30±1.30 and 8.11±1.35 h during the weekends respectively. About 40% were having unhygienic sleep practices. Most of the study participants had the history of sleep duration less than 8 hr. among the comparison groups. Graduated participants had the more sleep problems. Conclusions: Particularly among the elderly, inadequate sleep duration and differences in sleep rhythm between weekdays and weekends were seen. It is important to employ primary preventative strategies targeted at raising people's understanding of the value of sleep. Primary prevention approach aimed at spreading adequate awareness regarding the importance of sleep among the individuals should be practiced.