Prevalence of insomnia in adults aged 18 to 60 years and exposure to electromagnetic fields in households of Barranquilla, Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: Insomnia, a sleep disorder that affects both individual and public health, has not been studied in Barranquilla. Prior studies about the effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields on sleep disorders are controversial.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of insomnia symptoms in adults aged 18 to 60 years and its relation to the presence and intensity of electromagnetic fields in two neighborhoods of Barranquilla, Colombia.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 220 households located in two neighborhoods of Barranquilla, one with high exposure to radio and cell phone antennas and the other one with low exposure. After informed consent, a survey was applied among adults residing in 220 households to investigate the presence of insomnia symptoms, socio-demographic data and intake of medicines. When it was allowed, electromagnetic fields were measured with teslameters in bedrooms. The database was created in Excel™ and the data analysis was done with SPSS™, version 18.

Results: Insomnia, mainly of the mild type, was present in 74.5% of the total study population while 25.5% reported a normal sleep pattern. According to the sleeping test score we found a higher prevalence of insomnia in the neighborhood with greater exposure to radio antennas and cell towers (85.4%) than in the one with lower exposure (63.3%), prevalence ratio 1.34 (CI 95% 1.14-1.57).

Conclusions: This study suggests a higher prevalence of insomnia among persons living in areas with higher exposure to electromagnetic fields where the number of radio antennas and cell towers was greater.