Introduction:

Sleep quality is a key determinant of well-being in old age and is associated with multiple adverse physical and mental health outcomes. In contexts of accelerated aging, such as in Latin America, understanding the factors that influence sleep in older adults is essential for guiding preventive interventions.

Objective:

To assess sleep quality in a non-institutionalized older population from five urban areas of Colombia by sex and age, and to explore its relationship with demographic factors, physical health, and mental health status.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 2,506 individuals secondary-source analytical study was conducted with 2,506 records of people 60 aged and older, residing in five Colombian cities (Medellín, Pereira, Bucaramanga, Popayán, and Santa Marta). Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and analyzed in relation to demographic characteristics and physical and mental health status. The analysis included univariate, bivariate, and multivariate tests, with hypothesis testing and prevalence ratio calculations, using 95% confidence intervals.

Results:

The mean PSQI score was 2.84 ± 2.28, with a prevalence of poor sleepers of 19.27% (PSQI > 5). After adjusting for confounding variables, being female, aged 70-79 years, at risk of malnutrition, physically inactive, functionally dependent, in pain, having chronic diseases, depressive symptoms, low resilience, low spirituality, and a perception of low or moderate happiness were significantly associated with poor sleep quality.

Conclusion:

Sleep quality in older adults is influenced by both physical and mental health conditions. Early interventions such as promoting physical activity, ensuring adequate nutritional status, and strengthening mental well-being are recommended to improve overall quality of life and health.