Insomnia in Pregnancy: Prevalence and Predisposing Factors in a Developing Country

This study aimed at determining the prevalence as well as correlates of insomnia among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of a tertiary health centre in a developing country. Insomnia was assessed using the insomnia severity index among 237 consecutive women attending the Antenatal clinic of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital. Other relevant data such as obstetric history and psychological morbidity were collected using structured forms and the data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Logistic regression was done to determine factors associated with insomnia. Prevalence of insomnia among the respondents was 32.5% and factors associated with insomnia included high maternal age (OR = 1.092, CI = 1.013- 1.177, P value = 0.022), and having psychological morbidity (OR= 1.218, CI= 1.067 – 1.390, P value= 0.004). Though a higher number of women in the 3rd trimester had insomnia, this was however not statistically significant. This study has shown that insomnia during pregnancy is a common occurrence most especially during the last trimester of pregnancy. Common factors associated with it include older age of the patient and having a psychological morbidity. Screening for insomnia and offering some form of management may reduce some of the medical and psychological complications that may arise in the child and mother