Evaluation of quality of sleep and effecting factors in hospitalized neurosurgical patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of sleep and effecting factors in hospitalized patients in a neurosurgery clinic.

METHODS: This research was conducted as a descriptive study in a neurosurgery clinic of a University Hospital, in Turkey, between November 2005 and June 2006. The study sample consisted of 102 patients who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using the “Questionnaire Form,” which included socio-demographic, illness, sleep, and hospital characteristics, and the “Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index” (PSQI). The data obtained were assessed by SPSS 10.00 Program, using number, percentage, arithmetic mean, t-test, variance, and correlation analysis.

RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 43.22+/-16.72 years, 54.9% were females, and 72.5% were married. Hospitalization duration of the patients was 14.31+/-8.97 days on average, 84.3% had previous hospital experience, and 72.5% had knowledge about their illnesses. Of them, 51% expressed a sleep problem. Pain (41.2%) and noise (31.4%) was found to affect the sleep quality of hospitalized patients. Of the patients hospitalized in the neurosurgery ward, 64.7% were found to have poor quality of sleep prior to admission, while poor quality of sleep was determined for 49% before being discharged from the hospital. However, a better sleep quality was noted prior to discharge, compared to that at their admission to the hospital.

CONCLUSION: Varied degrees of quality of sleep have been reported by the patients and influences of personal and environmental factors on sleep quality have been noted. Strategies to enhance physical and mental comfort, and to minimize disruptions should positively enhance sleep quality.