OBJECTIVES: Sleeping medication use is very common among the adults in the United States. Long-term use of sleeping medications can lead to dependence and chronic insomnia. This study was conducted to identify factors associated with sleeping medication use among adults in the United States.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a convenience sample of adults (>18 years old) in the United States from April to June 2019. A self-administered online questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire captured information on demographics, physical/mental health conditions, and sleeping medication (over the counter (OTC) /or prescription) use in the last month. To acquire information about insomnia, depression, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), standard screening questions based on Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Adult ADHD Self-Report Rating Scale (ASRS) 35 were used respectively. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the factors associated with the use of sleeping medication.

RESULTS: Out of 498 participants, the majority were female (65.3%) and white (85.3%). Based on ISI index, 38.2%, 20.5%, and 4.8% of participants suffered from mild, moderate, and severe insomnia respectively. Among all participants, 190 (38.6 %) individuals reported use of any sleeping medication in the last month. The most common reported sleeping medications were OTC medications (82.1%), Zolpidem (7.9%) and Trazodone (5.8%). Individuals who suffered from moderate insomnia (AOR =10.90, 95% CI = [4.81,24.71), mild insomnia (AOR =3.20 95% CI = [1.74,5.85]), and anxiety (AOR =2.62, 95% CI = [1.50,4.56]) had significantly higher odds of sleeping medication use. Alcohol-abstinent individuals (AOR =3.58, 95% CI = [2.08,6.17]) had significantly lower odds of sleeping medication use.

CONCLUSIONS: Adults who suffer from insomnia or anxiety and those who use alcohol frequently have higher likelihood of sleeping medications use. As such, they should be potential targets for non-pharmacological sleep education interventions.