Poor sleep quality and its associated factors among working adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia

BACKGROUND: In Malaysia, a nationwide movement control order (MCO), implemented to curb the COVID-19 spread, impacted on the lives of the working population which could impair sleep quality.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to find the sleep quality status and its association with the socioeconomic, employment and lifestyle factors of working adults during the MCO period.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 eligible working adults. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index.

RESULTS: The proportion of poor sleep quality is found to be 59.4%. Analysis shows that the use of electronic devices before sleep (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.02-5.35, p-value = 0.046), increased amount of workload (OR = 0.45, p-value = 0.005), decreased in amount of workload (OR = 0.48, p-value = 0.003) and distracted while working (OR = 0.57, p-value = 0.014) are the factors significantly associated with and are predictors of poor sleep quality.

CONCLUSION: During crisis, there is a need for public health interventions for the working population to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Employers are recommended to support employees' well-being and to provide a healthy workplace during challenging times. Policy recommendations are also made to implement flexible working arrangements, workload management, workplace mental health support and legal protections on reasonable working hours, rest breaks and time off during crises.