Bedroom environment and sleep quality of apartment building residents in urban Bangkok

Abstract

Sleep is essential because it promotes good health and increases productivity. People spend most of their time indoors, and much of that time is spent sleeping. Thus, indoor environments may affect sleep quality. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the association between sleep quality and bedroom characteristics among residents living in apartment buildings in urban Bangkok. The bedroom characteristics of the participants were collected through a questionnaire and sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Associations were identified using multiple logistic regression analysis. Among the 93 participants, global PSQI scores ranged from 1 to 16, with a median of 5. In total, 58.1% of the participants had good sleep quality (PSQI score ≤ 5) and approximately 80% perceived their sleep quality to be fairly good to very good. A chi-square test revealed that sleep disturbance (i.e., breathing discomfort) was associated with a musty odor in the bedroom. A logistic regression model indicated that the presence of cockroaches and Aspergillus spp. was positively associated with poor sleep quality, with odds ratios (ORs) of 3.00 and 1.21, respectively. Perceived cold indoor air temperature also contributed to poor sleep quality (OR = 6.10). Regular cleaning to reduce indoor allergens, which can promote sleep quality, is recommended. Maintaining a comfortable indoor air temperature can also benefit sleep quality among apartment building residents in urban Bangkok.