Sleep quality and factors associated with poor sleep quality among undergraduates of a selected university in Sri Lanka: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Poor sleep quality can lead to daytime performance, increase the risk of motor-vehicle and occupational accidents, exacerbate medical, neurologic, and/or psychiatric conditions, and diminished quality of life. The undergraduate studies were strenuous and can lead to poor sleep. There is a paucity of evidence related to the sleep quality of undergraduate students of Sri Lanka. Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the sleep quality among undergraduates of a selected university in Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 207 KIU undergraduates. Upon the ethical clearance (KIU/ERC/21/68), a self-administered questionnaire in a google form shared through emails among eligible undergraduates. The sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. IBM SPSS v.25 was used as data analysis tool. Results: Majority of undergraduates (81%) were females, with a mean age of 26±6 years. The mean hours of sleep of the undergraduates were 6±2 hours. The sleep quality of 62% of undergraduates was poor (PSQI score<5) and the mean Global PSQI score was 6.73±3.35. Employment parallel to undergraduate studies (p=0.001), following a degree program in health science stream (p=0.02), were significantly associated with poor sleep. Conclusion: Study revealed that the majority of undergraduates having poor sleep quality and appropriate measures need to be taken to improve the sleep quality.