A recent community-based study has uncovered alarming sleep problems across Punjab. The research reveals that poor sleep quality affects a majority of the state's adult population. Key socio-demographic factors like age, education, and place of residence play significant roles in determining sleep health.
Study Highlights Widespread Sleep Issues
Published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, the study shows that 66.5% of participants experience poor sleep quality. This finding underscores a serious public health concern that demands immediate attention. Researchers conducted the cross-sectional survey between March and May 2025, covering 400 adults aged 18 and above from both urban and rural areas of Punjab.
Demographic Breakdown of Participants
The study provides a detailed look at Punjab's general population. Age distribution showed 33% of participants were 26-35 years old, while 28% fell in the 36-45 age bracket. Young adults aged 18-25 made up 19% of the sample, and those 46 and above accounted for 20%. Women slightly outnumbered men, comprising 52% of respondents versus 48% men.
Education levels varied among participants. The largest groups had secondary school education (34%) or undergraduate qualifications (34.5%). A small percentage, 4.5%, reported no formal education. Occupation data revealed diverse backgrounds:
- Homemakers: 22.0%
- Private sector employees: 19.5%
- Students: 18.0%
- Self-employed individuals: 15.5%
- Government employees: 15.0%
- Others: 10.0%
Most respondents lived in rural areas (56.5%), compared to 43.5% in urban settings.
Key Findings on Sleep Quality
While 67% of participants reported good subjective sleep quality and 76.5% said they didn't use sleep medication, objective measurements told a different story. Nearly half of respondents showed poor scores for sleep disturbances (47%) and habitual sleep efficiency (44.5%). These numbers indicate frequent sleep interruptions and reduced sleep effectiveness.
Specific problems included difficulties falling asleep (41.5%) and daytime dysfunction (38%). Many individuals might think their sleep is adequate even when measurable disturbances exist.
Age and Education Show Strong Links to Sleep
Age emerged as a powerful predictor of sleep quality. Adults aged 46 and above recorded the highest prevalence of poor sleep at 81.6%. Gender didn't show statistical significance, though more women reported poor sleep (70.8%) compared to men (61.7%).
Education displayed a clear relationship with sleep outcomes. Higher education levels correlated with better sleep quality. For example, 44.8% of postgraduates reported good sleep, while only 26.5% of those with secondary education did.
Occupation and Residence Patterns
Occupation didn't show statistically significant association with sleep quality. However, students and government employees tended to report relatively better sleep than self-employed individuals and those in the 'others' category.
Place of residence proved important. Urban residents reported better sleep quality (38.4%) than rural participants (29.8%). This highlights how social and environmental factors combine to affect sleep health.
Detailed Data Tables
Sleep Quality by Age Group
The study revealed clear age-related patterns:
- 18-25 years: 53.8% good sleep, 46.2% poor sleep
- 26-35 years: 37.9% good sleep, 62.1% poor sleep
- 36-45 years: 24.6% good sleep, 75.4% poor sleep
- 46 and above: 18.4% good sleep, 81.6% poor sleep
Sleep Quality by Education Level
Educational attainment showed consistent patterns:
- No formal education: 37.5% good sleep, 62.5% poor sleep
- Primary school: 29.2% good sleep, 70.8% poor sleep
- Secondary school: 26.5% good sleep, 73.5% poor sleep
- Undergraduate: 36.6% good sleep, 63.4% poor sleep
- Postgraduate: 44.8% good sleep, 55.2% poor sleep
Sleep Quality by Occupation
Occupational differences were notable:
- Homemaker: 29.8% good sleep, 70.2% poor sleep
- Student: 47.1% good sleep, 52.9% poor sleep
- Government Employee: 40.6% good sleep, 59.4% poor sleep
- Private sector: 39.5% good sleep, 60.5% poor sleep
- Self-employed: 20.7% good sleep, 79.3% poor sleep
- Others: 15.0% good sleep, 85.0% poor sleep
Sleep Quality by Residence
Urban-rural differences were significant:
- Urban: 38.4% good sleep, 61.6% poor sleep
- Rural: 29.8% good sleep, 70.2% poor sleep
Urgent Need for Public Health Action
The study's findings point to an urgent need for public health programs in Punjab. Researchers emphasize including sleep hygiene education and targeted interventions. As Punjab undergoes rapid socio-economic and lifestyle transitions, addressing sleep health becomes increasingly important. Sleep remains a fundamental physiological need essential for physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being.
The research team included Gurkirat Singh, Harshpreet Singh, Virinder Singh Gill, Rohit Batish, and Manvi Sagar. Their study, titled 'An Assessment of Sleep Quality and Its Socio-Demographic Correlates Among the General Population of Punjab: A Cross-Sectional Study', provides crucial insights into a growing but often overlooked health risk.
