ASSOCIATION OF INSOMNIA WITH CANCER RISK IN THE AGING POPULATION: FINDINGS FROM THE INDONESIA HEALTH SURVEY 2023

HUBUNGAN INSOMNIA DENGAN RISIKO KANKER PADA POPULASI LANSIA: TEMUAN DARI SURVEI KESEHATAN INDONESIA TAHUN 2023

Abstract

Introduction: Insomnia and sleep disturbances are increasingly recognized as contributors to chronic diseases such as cancer. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to this disease, yet evidence from Indonesia remains limited. Methods: This study examined the association between insomnia and cancer among Indonesians aged ≥60 years using nationally representative data from the 2023 Indonesia Health Survey (SKI). A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 97,339 older participants. The primary outcome was self-reported cancer diagnosis, and the main exposure was sleep difficulty. The covariates included age, gender, education, marital status, region, and employment. Associations were tested using chi-square analysis with complex survey design adjustments in SPSS (version 27). Results: A significant association was found between insomnia and cancer diagnosis (p<0.001), with a higher prevalence among those reporting sleep difficulties. The effect size for the association was small but meaningful (Cramer's V = 0.032; 95% CI: 0.028–0.036), indicating a weak yet statistically significant relationship. Gender, education, marital status, region, and employment were also significantly associated with cancer. Conclusion: These findings suggest that insomnia may contribute to cancer risk in Indonesia’s elderly population, although the strength of the association is small. Incorporating sleep health into public health strategies for aging populations remains essential.