Prevalence and Factors Associated with Insomnia Among Healthcare Workers in Kazakhstan During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Nurila Aryntayeva, Kuanysh Shonbay, Tulay Koru‐Sengul, Fatima Bagiyarova, Gulshara Е. Aimbetova, Guoyan Zhang, Saltanat Umbetkulova, Abzal Zhumagaliuly, Venera Baisugurova, Indira K. Karibayeva

Medicina, 2026

Full text Open access: Gold Metadata (CSL-JSON)
DOI 10.3390/medicina62061094
Data confidence 85 high
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Abstract

Background and Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) involved in the COVID-19 response are at increased risk of mental health disturbances, including sleep disorders. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of insomnia among HCWs in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 11 and 26 September 2021, including 553 HCWs. Insomnia symptoms were assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). The primary binary outcome was defined as an ISI score ≥ 10, while ISI ≥ 15 was used descriptively to indicate moderate-to-severe insomnia symptoms. Associations were evaluated using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression models. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Overall, 38.10% of HCWs with complete ISI data had insomnia symptoms based on the predefined ISI ≥ 10 threshold. In multivariable analysis, Kazakh nationality (AOR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.05–4.23), advanced education (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.13–3.65), physician role (AOR = 4.92, 95% CI: 1.25–19.30), and working with COVID-19 patients for >1 year (AOR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.33–3.89) were significantly associated with increased odds of insomnia. Conclusions: Insomnia symptoms were common among surveyed HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic and were associated with selected demographic and occupational characteristics, including professional role, education level, and duration of work with COVID-19 patients. These findings highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions and structural support systems for HCWs in Kazakhstan.