Sleep Quality and Sleep Hygiene Behaviours Among University Students in Qatar

Abstract

Background

Insomnia is a highly prevalent health problem, affecting about one-third of the adult population globally. University students are at a high risk for developing insomnia due to the stressful nature of academic life and often unhealthy sleeping habits. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of poor sleep quality and investigate sleep hygiene patterns among university students in Qatar.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among university students using two validated instruments: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including correlation and multivariate regression analyses.

Results

Two thousand and sixty-two students responded to the web-based survey. The mean PSQI score (7.57±3.03) was indicative of poor sleep quality in approximately 70% of the students. Similarly, the mean SHI score (21.79±6.69) was indicative of poor sleep hygiene patterns in 79% of the students. Academic program type, marital status, gender, and sleep hygiene significantly influenced sleep quality. After controlling for all possible covariates in the multiple regression analysis, sleep hygiene remained as the only factor significantly predicting sleep quality. Students with a good sleep hygiene were about four times more likely to have a good sleep quality compared to those with poor sleep hygiene (adjusted OR= 3.66, 95% CI= 2.8–4.8, p <0.001).

Conclusion

Poor sleep quality and inadequate sleep hygiene practices were highly prevalent among university students in Qatar. Sleep hygiene was found to be the only significant predictor of sleep quality such that those adopting healthy sleep hygiene practices were more likely to have better sleep quality. Interventions to raise awareness on the effect of sleep hygiene on sleep quality among university students are needed.

Keywords:

• sleep quality
• sleep hygiene
• university students
• Qatar

Acknowledgments

This research was part of MSc dissertation thesis (Raja Ali), which was supported by the following Qatar University Student Grant: QUST-2-CPH-2018-3. The poster of this paper was presented at the Second International Multidisciplinary Conference on Behavioral Health (November 2019), 8th International Mental Health Conference (December 2019) and in Qatar University’s Annual Research Forum and Exhibition (October 2020). The poster abstract was published in Qatar University’s institutional repository: https://qspace.qu.edu.qa/handle/10576/16764 and on Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347547501_Exploration_of_Sleep_Quality_and_Sleep_Hygiene_among_QU_students. We thank the students who took part in this study and completed the surveys sent to them. We also extend our gratitude to Dr Abdel-Salam Gomaa for his valuable statistical consultation and Dr Mahmood Ahmed Hasan Ahmed for helping us with questionnaire administration.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

Open Access funding was provided by the Qatar National Library.