Factors Related to Sleep Disturbance among Patients with Lower-limb Fracture undergoing Orthopedic Surgery in Vietnam

Abstract

Objective: This descriptive correlational study aimed to examine sleep disturbance and its relationships with related factors: pain, position discomfort, and uncertainty among patients with lower-limb fracture undergoing orthopedic surgery from one particular hospital located in Vietnam. Method: The sample included adult patients hospitalized at the Traumatology-Orthopedic unit for orthopedic surgery for fracture of femur, tibia, and fibula bones, emergency or non- emergency. A sample of 90 patients, estimated based on Thorndike’s approach was recruited by purposive sampling technique. Self-report questionnaires to collect data included 1) the patient’s profile record form, 2) Numeric Pain Intensity Scale, 3) Imbilization Comfort Questionnaire, 4) the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, and 5) Sleep Disturbance Questionnaire. The scales number 3 to 5 yielded Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.86, 0.90, and 0.89, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient. Results: The participants experienced high sleep disturbance (44.70 ± 5.80). In addition, they also moderately suffered from pain (6.37 ± 1.22), position discomfort (79.44 ± 14.22), and uncertainty (87.84 ± 13.00). Sleep disturbance was significantly positively associated with pain, position discomfort, and uncertainty (r = 0.52, P < 0.01; r = 0.32, P < 0.01; r = 0.25, P < 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: Patients with lower-limb fracture undergoing orthopedic surgery in Vietnam faced sleep disturbance, which was associated with pain, position discomfort, and uncertainty. Nursing care should manage sleep disturbance, in part, by alleviating pain discomfort and uncertainty.Keywords: sleep disturbance, lower-limb fracture patients, orthopedic surgery, Vietnam