Exploring the Prevalence and Patterns of Use of Sleep Aids and Stimulants Among Emergency Physicians and EMS Providers in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Purpose This study explores the prevalence and patterns of the use of pharmacologic sleep aids and stimulants among Saudi Arabia’s emergency physicians (EPs) and emergency medical services (EMS) providers. Patients and Methods We adopted a descriptive, cross-sectional design. To collect data on the types and frequencies of sleep aids and stimulants used, we distributed a semi-structured, anonymous, web-based questionnaire to registered EPs, paramedics, and emergency medicine technicians (EMTs) in the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. An internal consistency analysis showed good reliability (Cronbach’s alpha=0.667) of the questionnaire. A subscale analysis confirmed the results—alpha values were 0.720 and 0.618 for the use of sleep aids and stimulants, respectively. Results Males and females represented 81.8% and 18.2%, respectively, of the valid sample of 669 participants. Respondents aged 25–34, 35–44, and 45–55 years represented 51.9%, 32.7%, and 10.2% of the sample, respectively. Results showed that a majority of the respondents (67.1%) used stimulants. Caffeine was the most common stimulant; caffeine and energy drinks were used by 65.9% and 17.2% of the respondents, respectively. Caffeine, energy drinks, nicotine, and ephedrine were used by 65.9%, 17.2%, 18.5%, and 17.3% of the respondents, respectively. The respondents who used at least one sleeping aid and those using only one and two sleeping aids accounted for 36.6%, 15.6%, and 9.7%, respectively. The most common sleeping aids antihistamines and marijuana were used on most days by 13.4% and 13.3% of the respondents, respectively. The average monthly number of night shifts (P = 0.025) significantly influenced sleep aid use. Respondents working in night shifts for 3–5 months or more than 7 days were more likely to use sleeping aids. Conclusion Future research should enhance health workers’ knowledge of the efficacy and safety of these medications and guide strategies to organize and reduce night shift work.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Insomnia and Sleep-aid Use in Emergency Physicians in Japan: Secondary Analysis of a Nationwide Survey

“…9 Another study found that the average monthly number of night shifts was associated with sleep-aid use. 12 Our study suggests that chronic insomnia is associated with long working hours and stress, and sleepaid use is associated with stress, after excluding some nonmodifiable factors.…”

“…A web-based survey from Saudi Arabia reported that 36.6% of EPs, paramedics, and EM technicians use sleep-aids, and that an increase in use was associated with a higher average number of monthly night shifts. 12 …”

“…A webbased survey from Saudi Arabia reported that 36.6% of EPs, paramedics, and EM technicians use sleep-aids, and that an increase in use was associated with a higher average number of monthly night shifts. 12 Another voluntary, anonymous, online crosssectional study in Australia reported that 46.5% of EPs used medications such as melatonin, benzodiazepine, and pseudoephedrine to manage their sleep and performance. 23 The response rate of these web-based studies is unclear due to unknown denominators.…”

“…insomnia and sleep-aid use appear to be prevalent among EPs. [8][9][10][11][12] In fact, some North American studies report that as many as 56% of EPs use a sleep aid. 13 However, most of the data about insomnia and sleep-aid use in EPs is based on surveys limited by low response rates.…”