Prevalence of insomnia symptoms and their associated factors in patients treated in outpatient clinics of four general hospitals in Guangzhou, China

Background: Data on the prevalence of insomnia symptoms in medical outpatient clinics in China are lacking. This
study examined the prevalence of insomnia symptoms and their socio-demographic correlates in patients treated
at medical outpatient clinics affiliated with four general hospitals in Guangzhou, a large metropolis in southern
China.

Method: A total of 4399 patients were consecutively invited to participate in the study. Data on insomnia and its
socio-demographic correlates were collected with standardized questionnaires.

Results: The prevalence of any type of insomnia symptoms was 22.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 20.9–23.3%);
the prevalence of difficulty initiating sleep was 14.3%, difficulty maintaining sleep was 16.2%, and early morning
awakening was 12.4%. Only 17.5% of the patients suffering from insomnia received sleeping pills. Multiple logistic
regression analysis revealed that male gender, education level, rural residence, and being unemployed or retired
were negatively associated with insomnia symptoms, while lacking health insurance, older age and more severe
depressive symptoms were positively associated with insomnia symptoms.

Conclusions: Insomnia symptoms are common in patients attending medical outpatient clinics in Guangzhou.
Increasing awareness of sleep hygiene measures, regular screening and psychosocial and pharmacological
interventions for insomnia are needed in China.