0401 Sleep Characteristic Differences During Early Postpartum in White and African American Women

Abstract

Abstract Introduction In the general population, poor sleep quality and shorter sleep duration is associated with several adverse health outcomes. African American adults are more likely to report poorer sleep quality and shorter total sleep duration compared to White adults. However, there is limited information comparing sleep characteristics in White and African American women during postpartum, when many women experience reduced sleep quality. The purpose of this study was to compare sleep quality at 6-8 weeks postpartum in White and African American women. Methods White (n=84) and African American (n=37) women, who gave birth to a singleton at ≥ 37 weeks of gestation, completed the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) at 6-8 weeks postpartum. The PSQI was used to assess global sleep quality, time in bed, and 7 components regarding sleep. The components included: Subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication, and daytime dysfunction. The ESS total score was used to assess daytime sleepiness. Results The global PSQI score was higher for African American women (8.8 ± 3.3, mean ± SD), indicating poorer sleep quality than White women (7.1 ± 3.0, p=.006). African American women had higher sleep latency and shorter sleep duration compared to White women (p=.0179 and p<.0001, respectively). Time in bed was not statistically different for African American women compared to White women (485.6 ± 143.7 and 530.8 ± 85 minutes/night, p=.08). No other components of the PSQI were significantly different between the two racial groups. African American women scored higher on the ESS than White women (8.9 ± 3.1, 6.6 ± 3.2, p=.0002) indicating greater daytime sleepiness. Conclusion These results suggest that African American women experience lower sleep quality and greater daytime sleepiness in early postpartum compared to White women. Support National Institute On Minority Health And Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R21MD012740.