[Investigation on insomnia and use of hypnotics among an adult population]

An epidemiological enquiry about the sleep status and use of hypnotics in 1289 adults (742 men and 547 women), including 266 workers, 195 peasants, 275 intellectuals and 553 college students, was done in 1989. A questionnaire including 15 questions on sleep habits, sleep disorders and consumption of hypnotics was used. The response percentages were compared with chi-square test between different sexes, age groups, professions and places of residence. 52.9% and 5.4% of the sample complained of transient and persistent insomnia, respectively. Our data did not reveal sex difference as insomnia is concerned. The response percentages for transient insomnia did not correlate with age, while persistent insomnia definitely increased from middle age. Both transient and persistent insomnia were present much less in rural residents than in towns folks. No significant difference in the incidence of insomnia was found between intellectuals and workers. Only 1.1% of the sample used hypnotics regularly and 10.9% had ever taken sleeping pills.