Did you sleep well? Immigrants and self-reported sleep problem in the Kanchanaburi Demographic Surveillance System, Thailand

Malee Sunpuwan, Mahidol University

Studies from western settings reveal that immigration integration is associated with sleeping difficulties but little is known in Asian context, in particular Thaialnd. This study aims to examine the association between immigrants and self-reported sleep problem in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. It utilizes data from the Kanchanaburi Demographic Surveillance System that was collected in 2002. Sample size was 22,395. It comprises 20,380 Thai, 725 native born and 1,290 foreign born immigrants. Analysis focuses on identifying immigrants and sleep difficulties, controlling for sex, age education, working status risk behaviors, household wealth and residential area. The Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) method was employed. It was found that almost one-fourth reported sleeping problem. Statistical model showed that there is no significant difference among immigrants in terms of sleeping problem. It showed contradictory results to previous studies in Western society. The finding suggests that migration within similar context may help in integration and reduce mental health problem at destination.