Citation

Chueh KH, Yang MS, Chen CS, Chiou SM. Int. Psychogeriatr. 2009; 21(3): 593-599.

Affiliation

Department of Nursing, Yuanpei University, Hsinchu, and School of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/S1041610209008850

PMID

19323869

Abstract

Background: Little is known about sleep quality and alcohol use problems in the elderly minority population. This study aimed to identify a one-month prevalence of poor sleep quality and alcohol use problems among elderly Taiwanese aboriginal women and to examine the association between them. Methods: A cross-sectional survey with stratified random sampling was conducted in eight aboriginal communities in Taiwan. The 1261 elderly aboriginal women (response rate 84%) completed all assessments. Sleep was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), while the CAGE questionnaire was used to evaluate alcohol use problems. Results: Of the study participants, 20.54% and 25.59% had poor sleep quality and alcohol use problems, respectively. Controlling for confounding factors, alcohol use problems were a risk factor for poor sleep quality (AOR = 1.44, p = 0.0433). Alcohol use problems were associated with three components of PSQI: sleep disturbances, subjective sleep quality, and daytime dysfunction. Conclusions: The elderly Taiwanese aboriginal women with problematic alcohol drinking experienced poorer sleep quality. Development of a program to reduce alcohol use problems might improve sleep quality among elderly Taiwanese aboriginal women.

Language: en