Prevalence of Sleep Disorders Among the General Population of the Jazan Region of Southwest Saudi Arabia

Background: Sleep disorders impose a substantial burden on the global population, leading to an array of health complications. Understanding their prevalence and associated risk factors is crucial to formulating effective interventions. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of sleep disorders among residents of the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted an online survey from December 2022 to March 2023. The sample comprised 670 respondents aged 18 years and older residing in Jazan. Demographic data, lifestyle habits, sleep patterns, and sleep disorder symptoms were assessed. Results: The participants were predominantly women (62.2%), with an average age of 30.99 years and a normal body mass index. The analyses revealed that 28.8% of the respondents reported experiencing sleep disorders, and 13.4% particularly had obstructive sleep apnea. Nearly half of the participants reported having primary insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and restless leg syndrome. Significant associations were found between sleep disorders and older age (p = 0.012), obesity (p = 0.043), short or thin neck (p = 0.034), smoking (p = 0.003), caffeine use (p = 0.001), existing health conditions (p = 0.001), medication use (p = 0.013), lack of daytime naps (p = 0.043), and frequent nighttime awakenings to urinate (p = 0.001). The most common self-reported reasons for nightly awakenings were urination, anxiety or stress, discomfort or noise, and health conditions. Conclusions: The findings suggest a high prevalence of sleep disorders among adults in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Various demographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors are linked to these disorders. Therefore, targeted sleep health education and interventions could be instrumental in tackling this significant public health issue.