Prevalence and associated factors of DSM-5 insomnia disorder in the general population of Qatar

Khaled, Salma Mawfek; Petcu, Catalina; Al-Thani, Maryam Ali; Al-Hamadi, Aisha Mohammed H. A.; Daher-Nashif, Suhad; Zolezzi, Monica; Woodruff, Peter

Abstract

Background
Epidemiological studies of insomnia in the Middle East remain scarce. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of insomnia and explore its associations in the general population of Qatar. With almost 100 nationalities, Qatar is one of the most culturally diverse, richest, and fastest developing countries in the Arabian Peninsula.

Methods
A probability sample of community-dwelling adults were surveyed in February of 2019. A total of 1611 respondents completed face-to-face interviews in Arabic or English. Logistic regression modeled associations with insomnia, our dependent variable, as defined by a score of ≤16 on the eight-item Sleep Condition Indicator or according to criteria for insomnia in the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition or DSM-5.

Results
Approximately, 5.5% of the sample screened positive for insomnia and the 30-day prevalence of those who met all the DSM-5 criteria for insomnia disorder was 3.0%. In addition, 2.0% of the sample screened positive for depression and 3.4% for anxiety in the past 2 weeks. Multivariable analysis showed the following were significantly associated with insomnia: Arab ethnicity, young age, unemployment, being married, having less than high school education, fair or poor health, anxiety, and depression.

Conclusions
Insomnia prevalence was in the lower range of previously reported DSM-defined estimates from developed Western countries. Our findings highlight the need for raising awareness and improving sleep hygiene in potential risk groups such as younger adults and those of Arab ethnicity, in addition to incorporating insomnia screening in the provision of mental health services.

Citation

Khaled, S. M., Petcu, C., Al-Thani, M. A., Al-Hamadi, A. M. H. A., Daher-Nashif, S., Zolezzi, M., & Woodruff, P. (2021). Prevalence and associated factors of DSM-5 insomnia disorder in the general population of Qatar. BMC Psychiatry, 21(1), https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-03035-8

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 29, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Feb 8, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Deposit Date: Jun 19, 2023
• Journal: BMC Psychiatry
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 1
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-03035-8
• Keywords: Psychiatry and Mental health
• Additional Information: Received: 25 September 2020; Accepted: 29 December 2020; First Online: 8 February 2021; : The instrument and the methods of obtaining consent were approved by Qatar University’s Institutional Review Board (QU-IRB 339-E/14). Written informed consent was obtained from each participant.; : Not applicable.; : The authors declare that they have no competing interests.