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Sleeping habits in the Austrian population
G G Tribl1, A Schmeiser-Rieder, A Rosenberger
1Department of Clinical Neurology, University of Vienna, General Hospital, Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. gotthard.tribl@akh-wien.ac.at
Sleep Medicine
|November 1, 2003
Summary
Sleep disturbances are common in Austria, affecting 24.9% of the population, particularly women and older adults. This widespread issue includes poor sleep quality, daytime dysfunction, and increased use of sleeping medication.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Understanding sleep patterns is crucial for assessing sleep-related illnesses and societal well-being.
- Reliable data on sleep habits are needed for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To collect dependable data on the sleeping habits and sleep disturbances within the Austrian population.
- To identify demographic factors associated with sleep quality and disturbances.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, cross-sectional study involving a representative sample of 1049 Austrians (aged 15-82).
- Data collection through in-home interviews conducted by trained researchers, adhering to federal statistics population characteristics.
Main Results:
- Men and younger individuals reported significantly better sleep quality compared to women and older individuals, respectively.
- Women and those over 50 experienced worse subjective sleep quality, reduced sleep efficiency, and increased sleep difficulties.
- Higher prevalence of sleep disturbances, daytime dysfunction, and hypnotic drug use were observed in women and older populations.
Conclusions:
- Subjectively disturbed sleep (24.9%), excessive hypnotic drug use (13.0%), and daytime dysfunction (17.4%) are significant public health concerns in Austria.
- These sleep issues disproportionately affect women and the elderly population.
- The prevalence of sleep disturbances is projected to rise with increasing life expectancy in Western societies.