Correlates of Sleep Health among Older-Age People with and without HIV in Uganda

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There is a growing population of older people with HIV (PWH) in Uganda. Sleep problems disproportionately affect older people and PWH. This study aimed to estimate correlates of sleep health among older Ugandans (aged ≥ 50 years) with and without HIV, using data from the Quality of Life and Aging with HIV in Rural Uganda Study. We used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to assess sleep quality, duration, and efficiency. We fitted multivariable linear and logistic regression models to estimate the associations between sleep outcomes and variables selected based on the Senescent Sleep Model: age, HIV serostatus, loneliness, urbanicity, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and perceived stress. Of 556 participants, 271 were PWH and 285 were people without HIV (PWoH). There were no statistically significant differences in sleep outcomes by HIV serostatus. Of the total sample, most reported very good (32.79%) or fairly good sleep quality (49.37%). The mean sleep duration was 6.46 h (SD = 1.74). The mean sleep efficiency was 73.98% (SD = 19.52%) with 36.69% having optimal (≥ 85%) sleep efficiency. A positive depression screen was associated with worse sleep quality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.21; 95% CI [0.12, 0.36]), shorter sleep duration (b=-0.44; 95% CI [-0.60, -0.28]), and worse sleep efficiency (aOR = 0.51; 95% CI[0.31, 0.83]). Interventions targeting depression may improve sleep among older Ugandans, independent of HIV serostatus. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the potential bidirectionality of this relationship and elucidate pathways to support sleep health among older Ugandans.