Objectives

This study examines the distribution of sleep disorder prevalence across socioeconomic status (SES) and investigates the relationship between sleep disorder and hypertension among southwest China’s rural older adult population.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in rural Yunnan Province, China from 2017 to 2018, consisting of 4,833 consenting participants aged ≥60 years. Each participant completed a structured interview and had their blood pressure measured. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Multivariate logistic regression was used to model variations in prevalence of sleep disorders and hypertension.

Results

In the study population, the prevalence rates of sleep disorders and hypertension were 46.5% and 50.3%, respectively. Women had higher prevalence of both chronic illnesses (53.4% vs. 38.7%, 53.1% vs. 47.6%, P<0.01). After adjusting for age, sex, and residential status, older adults of minority ethnicity had a higher prevalence of sleep disorders than the Han ethnic majority (P<0.01). Attainment of higher levels of education and lower annual household income were also associated with a greater risk of sleep disorders (P<0.01). Further, logistic regression analysis indicated that older adults with sleep disorders had a greater risk of being hypertensive (P<0.01).

Conclusions

Sleep disorders are highly prevalent in rural southwest China. Future interventions to improve sleep quality would benefit from tailoring to address individual SES. Improving sleep quality profoundly reduces prevalence of hypertension.