Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of poor sleep quality as well as measure the factors associated with it among the elderly in Songkhla Province, Thailand.

Materials and Methods: A two-stage cluster sampling cross-sectional study was conducted in Songkhla Province between October and November 2015. Six hundred and four participants aged between 65 and 99 years were interviewed to collect demographic data and sleep-related information. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI] - Thai version. The results were analyzed in terms of descriptive statistics using the R-Epicalc and R-Survey software.

Results: The subjects were predominantly female and married. The young-old age proportion was at 67.6%. A large number (62.4%) of poor sleepers, with a mean PSQI score of 7.3, was detected. Advanced age, being without a partner, living in urban or terrorism-affected areas were significantly associated with poor sleep quality (p-value <0.05).

Conclusion: The proportion of poor sleepers was high. This was similar to the findings of previous studies. Further study is required to explore a wider range of associated psychological and social aspects as well as neurocognitive disorders among this population.

Keywords: Elderly, Insomnia, Prevalence, Sleep quality, Thailand