AROUND 60 percent of Shenzhen residents surveyed in a recent study suffer from sleep problems, and around 60 percent of the sufferers are aged between 30 and 50, according to a report released on the eve of yesterday’s World Sleep Day.

    The survey, conducted by Futian TMC Hospital, showed that more women have sleep issues than men.

    Although the problems, if not properly addressed, will have negative impact on them, only 3 percent of the respondents said they will go see a doctor and 3 percent said they would use sleeping pills. Ninety percent are not aware they have a problem and have not consulted a doctor.

    “Sleep disorders are now becoming common and could lead to depression and anxiety, which in return could exacerbate the problem,” said Jin Hongxin, a doctor in the sleep disorder department of Futian TCM Hospital.

    People who have difficulty sleeping three times a week for one month consecutively need to seek treatment at a hospital, according to Jin.

    In China, 38 percent of people suffer from various kinds of sleep problems, compared to the world average of 27 percent, according to a report by Chinese Medical Doctors Association.

    The report showed that anxiety about work, money and love were three major factors that cause sleep disorders.

    It also showed that government employees have the best sleep quality, while journalists have the worst. Half of doctors and nurses have sleep problems, too. (Han Ximin)