Prevalence and Lack of Awareness about Sleep Disorders in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
- 1. Department of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Pakistan
- 2. Department of Medicine, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Pakistan
CITATION
Sagar S, Kumar B, Kumar A (2025) Prevalence and Lack of Awareness about Sleep Disorders in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. J Sleep Med Disord 9(1): 1143.
INTRODUCTION
Sleep medicine can be categorized into emerging fields of medicine. Disruptions in sleep patterns lead to poor sleep quality. Less than 6 hours and greater than 9 hours of sleep durations fall in the category of abnormal sleep, and in both cases, individuals may have adverse health outcomes such as cardiovascular and mental health disorders leading to reduced quality of life. Studies show that in lower- and middle-income countries, approximately 37.6% of individuals have poor sleep quality; urban areas have higher rates of inadequate sleep. 21.9% of the population have short sleep duration (< 6 hours), while 6.5% of the population have long sleep duration (> 9 hours). The older adults and individuals with pre-existing health conditions were most affected by sleep disturbances. Cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors contribute to the quality of life and, thus, the quality of sleep. These factors also determine the regional prevalence differences, as Asia exhibits the highest prevalence of poor sleep quality, followed by Africa and Latin America. Hormonal changes and stress are factors making women more likely to have poor sleep compared to men [1].
Sleep medicine is overlooked in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs), thus sleep disorders are highly prevalent in such countries. The patient’s physical, mental, and social well-being are impaired due to the under diagnosis of sleep disorders. Insomnia is widespread across LMICs. Sleep disorders may correlate to different health problems, and patients may have increased risks of cardiovascular problems, diabetes, and mental health problems and generally a reduced quality of life. Important barriers to diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders include limited healthcare infrastructure, low awareness, economic constraints, and cultural stigma. Due to such factors in these countries and cultures, sleep issues are often dismissed as unimportant, discouraging open discussion and intervention. Small measures in the right directions can make big differences; awareness campaigns and public education about sleep health are crucial factors in low- and middle-income countries. Sleep medicine must be incorporated into routine medical care. Affordable diagnosis and policy interventions at the national and global levels are key factors in the large framework of accessible healthcare [2].
Lifestyle factors determine the health factors. Reduced physical activity emerged as a key predictor, along with conditions like chronic pain, depression, and comorbid illnesses in individuals at risk of sleep disturbances [3].
CONCLUSION
The real-life applications to solve sleep problems include certain measures like awareness campaigns and addressing cultural stigma. Low-and middle-income countries require better healthcare infrastructure, affordable diagnostic tools, and awareness about promoting lifestyle changes like physical activity. Mental health issues and their negligence also play an important role in sleep and general health of the population.
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