Abstract
This study aimed to assess sleep problems and their underlying factors in victims of disasters such as typhoons, heavy rains, fires, and earthquakes. Data from the long-term survey on life changes among disaster victims in 2019 obtained by the National Disaster Management Research Institute were used. The study included 1358 victims of natural and social disasters in Korea between 2012 and 2018. Sleep problems were assessed using a survey on subjective sleep quality and the use of sleeping medication. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test, t-test, and binominal logistic regression. The results showed that the factors affecting subjective sleep quality included disaster type, time elapsed after disaster, subjective health status, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The factors affecting sleep medication use included age, time elapsed after disaster, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Therefore, interventions and support systems should be provided to prevent the prolongation of sleep problems.
Highlights
Time elapsed after disaster, subjective health status, depression, anxiety, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social support, and social maladjustment were included as independent variables
Our analysis shows that age, time elapsed after a disaster, and PTSD significantly affect sleep medication use
The risk of sleep medication use should decrease as the time elapsed after disaster increases
Summary
Res. Public Health 2021, The incidence and severity of major disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis have increased worldwide, threatening the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities [1,2]. Cause economic losses, and may worsen mental and physical health [3]. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common problem experienced by disaster victims. Those who get PTSD may experience posttraumatic stress sequelae such as physical symptoms, including body pain, lower gastrointestinal disorder, skin disease, musculoskeletal disease, insomnia and fatigue, sleep disorder, major depression, anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, and suicide [4,5]
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