Assessment of Sleep Quality and Related Factors Using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Among the General Population in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia.

introductionAdequate, high-quality sleep is essential for maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health. However, sleep disturbances are increasingly reported among young adults globally. Examining the social, economic, and behavioral determinants of poor sleep is essential to inform targeted public health interventions. This study aimed to assess sleep quality, specific sleep disturbances, and the factors predicting poor sleep patterns among the general population in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).  Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted among 343 adult residents (aged ≥ 18 years) in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected via an electronically distributed, validated Arabic version of the PSQI questionnaire, which captured sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and seven distinct domains of sleep. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).  Results: A total of 343 participants were included in the study. More than half of the participants (58.6%) demonstrated poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5). Sleep latency, disturbance, and daytime dysfunction were the most affected domains. Poor sleep quality was significantly linked to younger age (p = 0.023), student status (p = 0.001), lower income (p = 0.002), and stimulant use (p = 0.006). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that individuals aged >25 years were significantly less likely to report poor sleep (AOR = 0.525; 95% CI: 0.307-0.898; p = 0.019). In contrast, unemployment was associated with a significantly increased likelihood of poor sleep (AOR = 3.271; 95% CI: 1.504-7.114; p = 0.003). Earning 5,000 SAR or more per month lowered the risk (AOR = 0.447; 95% CI: 0.272-0.733; p = 0.001), and using stimulants more than doubled the risk of poor sleep (AOR = 2.272; 95% CI: 1.203-4.181; p = 0.011). Gender, body mass index (BMI), marital status, and chronic disease were not significantly associated with sleep quality (p > 0.05).  Conclusion: Poor sleep quality is common among young adults in Saudi Arabia and is linked to age, employment status, income, and stimulant use. These results indicate the necessity of addressing modifiable behaviors, particularly caffeine consumption, and emphasize the importance of implementing targeted sleep health interventions for younger individuals and those experiencing economic hardship.