IJCM_57A: Assessment of quality of Sleep among working women of an urban area in Ernakulam district-A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Women from diverse backgrounds in India are now employed, facing challenges that impact their sleep and well-being. The demands of their jobs, extended working hours, family responsibilities, lifestyle changes, and various socio-demographic factors make unwinding and falling asleep difficult. Objective: The study was conducted to assess the quality of sleep and the sociodemographic factors affecting it among the working women of an urban area in Ernakulam District, Kerala. Methodology: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 141working women aged 18 years and above residing at Perumbavoor municipality of Ernakulam district. Women who were paid wages for their work were considered as working women. From the 27 wards in the Perumbavoor municipality 14 wards were selected randomly. From each selected ward 10 households were sampled by systematic random sampling. If more than one working woman was found in a house only one woman was interviewed. Data was collected using semi structured questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess the quality of sleep. Results: 69.5% of the working women belonged to the age-group of 30-39 years, 80.1% belonged to APL category by colour of ration card, 90.1% were married, 22% worked for more than 8 hours and 11% worked in night shifts. Poor sleep quality was seen in 70.9 % of working women with mean PSQI Score 6.17(SD + 2.68).76.37% married women had poor sleep quality compared to 21.4%of unmarried/widowed women (?2=18.46, d f=1, p<.0001). Conclusion: The study suggests poor quality of sleep among working women. Counselling sessions could help them set up a daily routine that will help them improve their sleep patterns.