Prevalence of Self Reported Sleep Problems among Patients with HIV Infection in Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: Sleep disturbance results in physical, mental and emotional disturbances among patients with HIV infection. In spite of these observations, studies of sleep problems among HIV patients from Sub-Saharan Africa are limited.

Aim: To determine prevalence of sleep problems among patients with HIV infection in a north western Nigeria.

Methodology: This is a cross sectional study among patients with HIV infection (n = 159) conducted in VCT (Voluntary Counselling and Testing) center of a teaching hospital in Sokoto, Nigeria. Questionnaire comprising of three sections including sociodemographic, sleep pattern, and psychiatric morbidity were administered to the subjects. Sleep pattern was assessed using clinical assessment variables such as early, middle, and late insomnia, presence of nightmare and non-restorative sleep. Psychiatric morbidity was assessed through the use of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Statistical analysis was performed with frequency distribution and Pearson’s chi square test to test for associations. A significance level of 5% was established.

Results: The prevalence of sleeping problems among the subjects was 20%. Non-restorative sleep is the most prevalent sleep problem among the patients. Factors associated with sleep problems included being employed and presence of psychiatric morbidity.

Conclusion: This study suggested that the prevalence of sleep problems among the patients with HIV infection is high. Routine screening for sleep problems is suggested.