Insomnia Among the Older People in Hong Kong

Objectives: Hong Kong is characterized by quick pace and high pressure, which would have adverse impacts on its citizens and their sleep pattern. The present study was commissioned by the Hong Kong Society for the Aged (SAGE) and aimed at exploring the prevalence of insomnia amongst older people in Hong Kong. Method: The study consisted of 2 stages. Stage 1 was to translate and validate the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) through a survey of 97 respondents aged 45 and above suffering from sleep disturbance. Stage 2 was a cross-sectional survey of 404 people aged 60 and above selected through stratified random sampling of older service users of SAGE with the use of PSQI.Findings: It was found a high percentage of respondents suffered some degree of insomnia (higher than 5 in PSQI score), however the rate was higher among institutionalized elders (86.4%) than those living in the community (66.2%). Respondents who were female, and living alone had a higher PSQI score. Multiple regression analysis showed the predictors of insomnia were self-reported insomnia, insomnia affecting their health, poor self-perceived health status, and depression. This paper would also discuss the service and policy implications of the findings.