Prevalence of sleep disorders among university students and its impact on academic performance

• Published in: International journal of adolescence and youth Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 974 - 981
• Main Authors: Al Salmani, Asma Ali, Al Shidhani, Asma, Al Qassabi, Shatha Saud, Al Yaaribi, Shahad Ahmed, Al Musharfi, Aysha Muslem
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 31-12-2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Taylor & Francis Group
• Subjects: Academic achievement; academic performance; College students; Colleges & universities; Cross-sectional studies; Females; gender; GPA; Grades (Scholastic); Insomnia; Narcolepsy; Nightmares; Obstructive sleep apnea; Response rates; Restless legs syndrome; Sleep; Sleep disorders; Sleepwalking; students; University students
• ISSN: 0267-3843; 2164-4527
• DOI: 10.1080/02673843.2020.1815550

Sleep disorders can have a critical effect on health and academic performance. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and academic impact of various sleep disorders on university students by gender. This cross-sectional study was conducted between May and September 2019. The prevalence of sleep disorders was assessed using the validated SLEEP-50 Questionnaire. Overall, 637 university students participated in the study (response rate: 100%); of these, 368 (57.8%) were female and 455 (71.4%) were > 20 years old. A total of 433 students (68.0%) had grade point averages (GPAs) of 2-3, whereas 20 (3.1%) had GPAs of < 2. The most common sleep disorders were narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, insomnia, and obstructive sleep apnoea, whereas sleepwalking and nightmares were infrequent. Sleep disorders were significantly associated with low GPA among female students. University students are at risk for sleep disorders, with such disorders associated with decreased academic performance among females.