Poor sleep hygiene practice and associated factors among adults with epilepsy attending follow up care at Mettu Karl comprehensive specialized hospitals in Illu Ababora Zone and general hospital in Buno Bedele zone, Southwest Ethiopia’

Globally, sleep disorders are an important global public health problem. Poor sleep hygiene is at the core of chronic insomnia and other sleep disorders. Sleep hygiene practices are effective, practical, and affordable, and have no side effects other than other therapies benefiting patients with epilepsy. However, there is no research regarding sleep hygiene practice and its awareness among people with epilepsy in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess sleep hygiene practice and its factors in patients with epilepsy.

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted. The study included 424 participants selected through systematic random sampling. An interviewer-administered Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI) questionnaire was used to collect data.The collected data was analyzed using SPSS Version 25.0. Bi-variable and multi-variable analyses were conducted to identify factors related to poor sleep hygiene.

The frequency of poor sleep hygiene practice among people with epilepsy was 59.5%. Non-adherence to AED (AOR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.13, 3.23), depression (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.42, 4.21), poor sleep quality (AOR = 5.7, 95% CI: 3.12, 10.01), anxiety (AOR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.67, 4.82), and current alcohol drinkers (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.27, 3.13) were associated with poor sleep hygiene practice.

The perception of sleep hygiene practice among patients with epilepsy was poor. Non-adherence to AED, depression, poor sleep quality, anxiety, and current use of alcohol were associated with poor sleep hygiene practices. Therefore, regular screening, sleep issue management, and expanded mental health support are crucial. Training programs and awareness strategies to improve sleep hygiene are highly recommended. Professionals should incorporate sleep hygiene in epilepsy care.