Sleep Hygiene Knowledge Research Articles

Parental Knowledge and Practices of Sleep Hygiene Among Children in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Sleep hygiene is crucial for child development, influencing physical health, cognitive function, and emotional well-being. Parental knowledge and practices significantly influence children's sleep habits, yet gaps in understanding persist, impacting sleep quality and overall health outcomes. In Saudi Arabia, rapid societal changes and modern lifestyles pose unique challenges to maintaining healthy sleep habits among children. This study aims to assess parental knowledge and management of sleep hygiene, providing insights for targeted interventions tailored to Saudi cultural contexts. This cross-sectional study assessed parental knowledge and management of sleep hygiene among children in Saudi Arabia. Participants (N=729) were recruited from pediatric clinics and online forums, comprising parents with at least one child aged 0-18 years who completed surveys in Arabic or English. A comprehensive survey collected demographic data, parental sleep hygiene knowledge, practices, and concerns. Data were gathered between January and March 2024 via online and clinic-based distribution and analyzed using SPSS version 25 for descriptive statistics. The survey was completed by 729 participants, predominantly aged 25-44 years (70.4%), holding predominantly bachelor's degrees (34.7%), and employed full-time (49.7%). The majority reported having 2-3 children (54.9%). Findings indicated that 69.1% (504 participants) correctly identified school-aged children's sleep needs, and 71.0% (518 participants) recognized the importance of limiting electronic device use before bedtime. Sleep management practices revealed that 81.3% (592 participants) of parents adhered to bedtime routines, and 65.6% (478 participants) managed electronic device use appropriately. Bedtimes typically ranged from 7 to 9 PM for 90.5% (658 participants) of children, with wake-up times clustered between 6 and 8 AM for 75.6% (551 participants). Parental concerns showed reliance on online resources (60.4%) and pediatricians (54.7%) for sleep information, with 73.9% (539 participants) expressing interest in further education on sleep hygiene. This study highlights parental awareness of sleep hygiene practices in Saudi Arabia but underscores gaps in knowledge regarding caffeine effects and optimal napping practices. Tailored educational interventions are essential to enhance parental understanding and promote healthier sleep habits, thereby optimizing child well-being in the region.

The Relationship between Knowledge, Dietary Supplementation, and Sleep Quality in Young Adults after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Sleep is one of the most important factors affecting the quality of life. More than 50% of Polish adults have sleeping disorders, and young adults are the ones particularly vulnerable to this. This is why the analysis of the predictors of sleep quality, such as sleep hygiene knowledge and dietary knowledge, in young adults is a very important topic, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have affected sleeping habits. 402 young adults (mean age 28.12 ± 6.08 years old) were enrolled in the study during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire, while dietary knowledge and sleep hygiene knowledge were assessed with dedicated questionnaires. The participants were also asked about the use of specific dietary supplements. The analysis showed that sleep hygiene knowledge was significantly associated with sleep length (R = -0.17, p = 0.003) and overall sleep quality (R = -0.17, p = 0.005), while dietary knowledge significantly correlated with time to fall asleep (R = -0.12, p = 0.026). The regression analysis revealed that sleep hygiene knowledge was a significant negative predictor of sleep quality impairment (β = -0.13, p = 0.028). Significant results were also obtained for the use of supplements (β = -0.20; p = 0.001) and the use of medications (β = -0.32, p = 0.001), which were negative predictors of sleep quality impairment. This study showed that increased sleep hygiene knowledge promoted improved sleep length and overall sleep quality. In addition, dietary knowledge significantly correlated with time to fall asleep. On the other hand, decreased sleep quality was observed in participants who used medications or dietary supplements.

Childhood and Adolescent Sleep Awareness in Caregivers and Health Care Providers: A Community- and Hospital-Based Survey

BackgroundSleep disorders are common in childhood and adolescence with mental and physical consequences needing appropriate intervention by caregivers and health care providers (HCPs). The objective of the study, conducted at a tertiary teaching hospital and public school in north India, was to develop validated questionnaires to evaluate childhood and adolescent sleep awareness in caregivers and HCPs. MethodsThe study participants (caregivers represented by parents of 2-18 year olds attending a public school and of those attending outpatient services at the study hospital and HCPs represented by medical interns and nursing graduates within 1 year of graduation) were enrolled after appropriate screening. ResultsTwo separate questionnaires in English for caregivers (also translated in Hindi) and HCPs were applied on 313 caregivers and 175 HCPs (110 medical interns and 65 nursing graduates) and developed and validated with a Cronbach α of 0.73 and 0.74, respectively. The questionnaires covered three domains: sleep hygiene, sleep related health problems, and miscellaneous. Both group of respondents had >50% correct responses in sleep hygiene. The ĸ agreement between knowledge and practice of sleep hygiene in caregivers was 0.2. Poor response (<50% correct responses) was seen in sleep-related health problems in both groups of respondents implying knowledge deficit in various sleep disorders. The HCPs performed poorly on basic theoretical questions in miscellaneous domain. For consultation of sleep problems, most caregivers (48%) chose pediatricians. ConclusionThere is a need to strengthen undergraduate medical and nursing curriculum in sleep. Caregivers should be made aware of implications of unhealthy sleep.

The Influence of Coaches and Support Staff on the Sleep Habits of Esports Athletes Competing at Professional and Semiprofessional Level

The present study investigated the influence and perspective of esports coaches and support staff on the sleep habits of esports athletes competing at professional and semiprofessional levels. Eighty-four esports coaches and support staff from 19 countries completed an online questionnaire. The first section obtained demographic information. The second section evaluated sleep hygiene knowledge using the Sleep Beliefs Scale. The third section assessed sleep monitoring and sleep hygiene practices used by coaches and support staff with esports athletes, barriers to the use of these practices, and conditions that impact the sleep of esports athletes. Overall, sleep hygiene knowledge was inadequate (&lt;75%, based on the study of Miles et al.). Sleep monitoring frequency was low (48.8%), while sleep hygiene practices were implemented more often (66.7%). The most common barrier to sleep monitoring and sleep hygiene practices was players not liking it (50% and 46.3%, respectively). Night competitions (64.6%), congested competition times (51.2%), and night training schedules (47.6%) all rated highly as having an impact on esports athletes’ sleep. Sleep education and training for coaches and support staff in the optimal use of sleep monitoring and sleep hygiene practices may increase the frequency and quality of sleep health support provided to esports athletes.

Experiences of Middle-Aged and Older Taiwanese Adults With Chronic Insomnia: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.

The purpose of the current study was to describe the experiences of middle-aged and older adults with chronic insomnia. A descriptive qualitative study design was used, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 participants from two primary clinic health centers in northern Taiwan. Mean age of participants was 64.3 years, most (58.8%) participants were middle aged (aged 40 to 64 years), and mean duration of insomnia was 5.6 years. Three themes emerged: Imperfection of Lived Experience, Dilemma of Whether to Take a Hypnotic, and Seeking Help from Alternative Therapy. Participants believed chronic insomnia contributed to an accumulation of anxiety and negative emotions, resulting in psychological burden. For participants with insomnia, because of their negative impressions of hypnotics, they usually sought alternative therapies to improve sleep. Health care providers should endeavor to understand the needs of individuals with insomnia and provide them with sleep hygiene knowledge and assistance in safe sleep practices. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(11), 21-28.].

Does knowledge of sleep hygiene recommendations match behaviour in Australian shift workers? A cross-sectional study

ObjectivesShiftworkers routinely obtain inadequate sleep, which has major health consequences. Sleep hygiene describes a range of behaviours, lifestyle and environmental factors that can improve sleep. To date, limited research has...

Exploration of a Sleep Hygiene, Mindfulness, and Sensory Pillow Program to Address Sleep Quality and Stress Among Higher Education Students

Abstract Date Presented 04/02/2022 Sleep disturbances may negatively influence an individual’s mental and psychosocial functioning, with higher education students of particular concern while managing daily stress. This exploratory study examined technology-aided interventions for sleep routine establishment, sleep hygiene, a mindfulness app, and a sensory pillow. Findings suggest improvements in sleep quality and sleep hygiene knowledge, no change in perceived stress, and various changes in objective sleep tracking data. Primary Author and Speaker: Sara Benham Additional Authors and Speakers: Karlie Brogan, Lauren Brown, Caitlin Gladwell, Christine Neu Contributing Authors: Nabila Enam

Sleep Knowledge, Beliefs and Practices in Youth Sports Coaches and Science Support Staff

Background: The primary purpose of this study was to assess sleep hygiene knowledge among coaches and sports science support staff working with youth athletes, their sleep practices implemented with athletes, and their sleep education. Materials and methods: A sample of 139 Polish coaches and sports science support staff working with youth athletes volunteered to complete a survey focused on sleep monitoring, hygiene practices, and sleep education. The Sleep Beliefs Scale (SBS) was also included. Results: Overall sleep hygiene knowledge was inadequate for the whole sample (14.86 ± 2.70, score range 0 - 20; mean ± SD). However, the overall SBS score for science support staff was adequate (15.44 ± 2.71) and significantly higher than the inadequate score obtained by coaches (14.48 ± 2.65, p = 0.013). Less than half (48%) of coaches and science support staff promoted or administered sleep hygiene strategies, and only 17% monitored sleep of youth athletes. Most coaches and science support staff (only 35% of “Yes” responses) were not educated in sleep knowledge. However, there were significant differences between coaches and science support staff (28 % vs 46 %, respectively; p = 0.030) in their education in the field of sleep hygiene. Conclusions: Coaches working with youth athletes had inadequate overall sleep hygiene knowledge, while sports science support staff’s knowledge was adequate. Sleep hygiene strategies, sleep monitoring practices, and sleep education of coaches and science support staff seemed to be limited. We suggest that a broader approach to sleep education in youth sports staff might be necessary to improve sleep practices in youth athletes.

Quality of sleep among patients diagnosed with tuberculosis-a cross-sectional study.

Tuberculosis (TB)can affect sleep and can predispose patients to chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, sleep deprivation and diabetes mellitus can worsen tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to assess sleep quality, to estimate the prevalence of poor sleepers and those at risk for restless legs syndrome (RLS) and to evaluate the knowledge and practices regarding sleep hygiene among patients diagnosed with TB. In a cross-sectional study, a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to patients diagnosed with TB in Bengaluru, India. The questionnaire was comprised ofsections including demography, knowledge and practice regarding sleep hygiene, the international restless leg study group consensus diagnostic criteria to diagnose RLS, the Pittsburgh sleep quality index, the Epworth sleepiness scale, and history of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Of 206 participants enrolled, 125 men (61%),mean (SD) age was 41.0 (16.2) years, and 121 (59%) had pulmonary TB while the remaining 85 (41%) had extrapulmonary TB.The prevalence (95% confidence intervals) of poor quality sleeperswas 17% (12,23%), those with poor knowledge of sleep hygiene(< 6 marks)33% (27, 40%), those at risk for RLS 32% (26, 39%),and those with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) 12% (8, 17%). Prevalence of poor quality sleepers and those at risk for RLS are higher than normal population, thus making sleep quality assessment important in patients diagnosed with TB. Prevalence of those at risk for EDS was comparable to normal population.

Factors related to sleep behavior in adolescents: a focus group study

Abstract Background Adolescents' sleep behavior has deteriorated over the last decades. However, little research has been conducted into possible psychosocial factors related to this behavior, which is an important prerequisite to develop effective sleep behavior interventions. In addition, previous research showed that actively involving adolescents in the development of interventions increases the chance of effectivity and sustainability. This study examined psychosocial factors related to sleep behavior in adolescents and investigated adolescents' willingness to participate in the development of a sleep behavior intervention. Methods Nine focus group interviews were conducted with seventy-two students (63,9% girls, 14.8 (±1.0) years) using a standardized interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded and thematic content analysis was performed using Nvivo 11. Results Adolescents had adequate knowledge of sleep hygiene and short-term consequences of sleep deficiency, but limited knowledge of sleep norms and long-term consequences. Positive attitudes towards sleep were outweighed by positive attitudes towards other behaviours such as screen time. Leisure activities, smartphones, television, schoolwork, early school time and worrying were mentioned as barriers for healthy sleep. Adolescents showed low self-efficacy towards changing their sleep behaviors and perceived a negative social norm towards sleep. Although some adolescents indicated parental rules to have a positive influence on their sleep, others indicated these sometimes provoked frustration. Finally, adolescents emphasized the importance of their participation in the development of a sleep behavior intervention at school, although adult guiding would be needed. Conclusions Future interventions promoting heathy sleep in adolescents could focus on psychosocial factors such as knowledge, attitudes, barriers, self-efficacy and social perceived norm and could involve adolescents in intervention development. Key messages Future interventions promoting heathy sleep in adolescents should in addition to knowledge, also focus on psychosocial factors such as attitudes, self-efficacy and perceived social norms. Adolescents emphasize the importance of their participation in the development of a sleep behavior intervention. This approach could be worth trying in future research.

Sleep hygiene in paramedics: What do they know and what do they do?

ObjectivesShift workers routinely obtain inadequate sleep, which has major health and wellbeing consequences. Sleep hygiene describes a range of behaviours, lifestyle and environmental factors that can support optimal sleep. To date, limited research has examined sleep hygiene in shift workers. This study aimed to 1) assess the knowledge and understanding of sleep hygiene amongst shift working paramedics, as well as its perceived impact on sleep, and 2) investigate paramedics' engagement with sleep hygiene practices. Study DesignParticipants completed an online, cross-sectional survey. ParticipantsQueensland Ambulance Service paramedics (n = 184) who engage in shift work. MeasuresThe online survey included questions from the Standard Shiftwork Index and Sleep Hygiene Index. ResultsMost participants reported little or no understanding or knowledge of ‘sleep hygiene’ as a concept. Participants reported that sleep scheduling and bedroom environment (temperature, light, and noise) were the most impactful on sleep. Few participants reported nicotine and alcohol consumption, or daytime napping, whereas caffeine consumption and mentally-stimulating bedtime activities were more common. Participants who were young, single, and worked varying shift types (day, afternoon, and night) as part of their regular rosters demonstrated less knowledge regarding sleep hygiene, and were more likely to be exhibiting poor sleep hygiene engagement. ConclusionsParamedics demonstrated a limited level of understanding of sleep hygiene as a concept, and varied knowledge about the impacts of individual sleep hygiene factors. Further, paramedics demonstrated varied engagement with individual sleep hygiene practices. Future research should focus on the development of sleep hygiene interventions to optimise sleep in paramedics.

Knowledge, practice and correlates of sleep hygiene among people living with HIV/AIDS attending anti-retroviral therapy at Zewditu Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundSleep hygiene is a series of behavioral practices that can be performed by individuals with sleep complaints to prevent or reverse sleep difficulties. The feasibility, cost-effectiveness, absence of side effects and immediate responses to sleep problems make sleep hygiene practices more applicable than other treatment options for people living with HIV/AIDS. However, there is no evidence regarding sleep hygiene awareness and its practice in people with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the knowledge, practice and correlates of sleep hygiene among adults attending outpatient anti-retroviral treatment at Zewditu Memorial Hospital.MethodsThis was an institutional based cross-sectional study conducted from 1st of May to 16th of June 2018 amongst people attending anti-retroviral therapy follow-up at Zewditu Memorial Hospital. Systematic random sampling technique was used to recruit a total of 396 study participants. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaire. The Sleep Hygiene Index was used to measure the level of sleep hygiene of study participants. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with sleep hygiene practice. In the multi-variable analysis, variables with P-values of less than 0.05 were considered as significant correlates of sleep hygiene practice with 95% confidence interval.ResultsThe findings of this study showed that there are limitations regarding the knowledge and practice of sleep hygiene of people with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. None of the participants attended training regarding sleep hygiene. More than half (51.3%) had poor sleep hygiene practice. Female sex [AOR = 5.80:95% CI (3.12, 10.7)], being single [AOR =2.29:95% CI (0.13, 9.51)], depression [AOR = 2.93: 95% CI (1.73, 4.96)] and current khat use [AOR = 3.30; 95% CI (1.67, 6.50)] were identified as statistically significant correlates of poor sleep hygiene practice.ConclusionsKnowledge regarding sleep hygiene is poor, and its practices are incorrect amongst people living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. These findings demonstrate a need for professionals to play a major role in addressing this problem by integrating sleep hygiene as an added treatment modality to the HIV/AIDS care service. Designing training programs and awareness creation strategies for people with HIV/AIDS to improve their sleep hygiene practice is also highly recommended.

Awareness and practice of sleep hygiene among UniKL MBBS students and its association to sleep quality

Poor sleep quality is a common problem among medical students and often leads to daytime hypersomnolence and fatigue. Having a good sleep hygiene is considered to be an effective way to improve sleep quality. The purpose of this study is to assess students' sleep hygiene awareness and practices and evaluate their sleep quality. The association of sleep quality with sleep hygiene awareness and practice was also explored. The study was a cross-sectional, self-administered, and questionnaire-based study. A total of 262 UniKL RCMP MBBS students were recruited to complete sleep questionnaires adopted from internationally recognized instruments, like Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI); to assess sleep hygiene and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); to assess sleep quality. It was found that more than half of the participants (57.3%) had good knowledge on sleep hygiene. However, most of them (82.4%) had poor sleep hygiene practice. 65.6% of the students were also found to have poor sleep quality. Sleep quality was strongly correlated with sleep hygiene practice (p&lt; 0.01) but not with sleep hygiene knowledge (p&gt; 0.05). Appropriate measures and sleep hygiene education should be emphasized in order to raise awareness on the importance of adopting a good practice of sleep hygiene among the students.

Research on freshman and sleeping habits: A text message-based sleep intervention

Objective Lack of understanding regarding the function of sleep and lack of education regarding healthy sleep practices may hinder college students from getting sufficient quality sleep. The current study examines the effect of a text message based educational intervention aimed at improving sleep quality and sleep hygiene behaviors in freshman undergraduate college students. Participants 135 undergraduate students were recruited fall of 2016. Methods Three discussion groups were held to test and refine the text message content. Students were randomized into a three-group pretest–posttest experimental design. Participants completed measures of sleep quality, sleep hygiene, and sleep knowledge. Results Data analysis indicated the intervention did not demonstrate significant differences between groups over time on sleep quality, sleep hygiene behaviors, and sleep knowledge. Conclusion More research is needed to understand how best to harness text messaging technology and sleep health education to promote healthy sleep behaviors in college students.

Sleep practices implemented by team sport coaches and sports science support staff: A potential avenue to improve athlete sleep?

ObjectivesThe primary aims of the present study were to assess the sleep hygiene knowledge of high performance team sport coaches and sports science support staff; the sleep practices these individuals implement with athletes; and the barriers to the more frequent use of these practices. DesignCross-sectional observational study. MethodsA sample of 86 Australian coaches and sports science support staff working within high performance team sport volunteered to complete a four-part questionnaire, including the Sleep Beliefs Survey used to assess sleep hygiene knowledge. ResultsOverall sleep hygiene knowledge was adequate (15.3±2.9, score range 0–20; mean±SD), however knowledge of sleep–wake cycle behaviours (score 4.9±1.6 out of 7) and thoughts and attitudes about sleep (3.6±1.0 out of 5) were inadequate. Over half (56%) of coaches and support staff had monitored athlete sleep, while 43% had promoted sleep hygiene. Lack of resources (response range 44–60%) and knowledge (16–41%) were the two main barriers to the implementation of sleep monitoring and sleep hygiene practices. ConclusionsTeam sport coaches and sports science support staff have adequate overall sleep hygiene knowledge, yet some specific areas (e.g. sleep–wake cycle behaviours) warrant improvement. There appear to be limited sleep practices implemented with athletes, particularly regarding the promotion of sleep hygiene. The development of educational sleep resources for coaches and support staff to implement with athletes may help address the identified barriers and improve sleep knowledge.

“My stuffed animals help me”: the importance, barriers, and strategies for adequate sleep behaviors of school-age children and parents

Study objectivesTo describe parents’ and school-age children's sleep-related cognitions and behaviors. MethodsParents (n = 36) and school-age children (n = 40; 6-11 years old) from New Jersey, Florida, and West Virginia participated in focus groups lasting ~60 minutes for parents and ~30 minutes for children. Trained researchers led the focus groups designed using Social Cognitive Theory constructs. Standard content analysis procedures were used independently by 3 trained researchers to analyze focus group data. ResultsA consistent finding across focus groups was that a set bedtime was a typical behavior. Both parents and children recognized the importance of sleep for health and academic success. Technology was highlighted by both groups as a barrier to adequate sleep. The children discussed postbedtime activities of their parents as barriers to sleep. Physical activity along with several healthy sleep practices was identified as strategies to improve sleep. Parents and children stressed the role of parents in promoting healthy sleep behaviors and sleep-conducive environment. Participants did not mention some well-established links between sleep duration and health as well as sleep-promoting behaviors. Several unique factors, not yet reported in the literature, were discussed by the parents and children including the use of stuffed animals for comfort and disruptive behaviors of others in the household. ConclusionsMany of the cognitions of parents and children coincide with evidence from scientific literature surrounding sleep and sleep hygiene but also demonstrated sleep hygiene knowledge gaps. Study findings can be applied to future sleep education materials targeting parents and school-age children.

Effects of a sleep hygiene text message intervention on sleep in college students

ABSTRACTObjective: To test the effectiveness of a text-message intervention to promote sleep hygiene to improve sleep in young adult college students. Participants: A convenience sample of undergraduate students from one Southwestern university (n = 96), 18–26 years old, recruited in August 2015. Methods: A 2-group pretest-posttest experimental design assigned participants to receive biweekly text messages about sleep hygiene or healthy behaviors for 6 weeks. Survey questions addressed sleep knowledge, sleep hygiene, self-efficacy for sleep hygiene, and sleep quality at baseline and posttest. Results: Though not significant, sleep quality, sleep hygiene, and sleep knowledge improved in both groups. Conclusions: Self-efficacy for sleep hygiene is a modifiable factor that may serve to improve sleep quality. Sleep quality improved in both groups. Text messaging is a feasible approach to delivering an intervention to promote healthy behaviors among young adults.

Sleep quality in relation to sleep hygiene knowledge and practice, chronotype and lifestyle behaviour among healthcare students

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate sleep quality among healthcare science students and to assess its association with sleep hygiene knowledge and practices, circadian typology and lifestyle factors. Material and Methods. The research was conducted as a cross-sectional questionnaire-based internet study on a sample of 268 students. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and The Self-Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire were applied as research instruments to assess sleep quality and chronotypes respectively, while evaluation of the other variables was conducted using he Sleep Hygiene Knowledge Questionnaire, socio-demographic questionnaire and the questionnaire of lifestyle factors. Results. The average of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global score for all students was 6.9 ? 3.2. The poor sleep quality (The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index &gt; 5) was reported in 62.7% of students. Sleep efficiency less than 85% was found in 43.0% of students, and 78% of students reported daytime dysfunctionality. Sleep quality was significantly worse among female students; coffee, alcohol and energy drink consumers and long-term cell phone users. Only 11.9% of students were classified as the morning chronotype and they had the best quality of sleep and the best sleep hygiene knowledge and practices, whereas the evening chronotype had the worst quality of sleep. A significant negative correlation was identified between sleep hygiene knowledge (r = - 0.133) and practice (r = 0.501) and sleep quality whereby the lower t he Sleep Hygiene Knowledge Questionnaire and Sleep Hygiene Practice Scale scores follow a higher the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score. Conclusion. Majority of students had a suboptimal level of overall sleep quality, satisfactory knowledge of sleep hygiene, but they did not have the sleep hygiene practices which suggests that knowledge is not a factor of deterring from unhealthy behaviors.

Association between sleep quality and quality of life among students: a cross sectional study.

Background Lack of sleep and on going sleep disorder can affect family health and interpersonal relationships. Objective The aim of study was to investigate the association between sleep quality and the probable determinants of quality of life among students of a public health faculty at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU) in the 2015 academic year. Methods The data from a cross-sectional study of 275 students that randomly stratified sampling between different classes of college students of a public health faculty of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were used in this study. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisted of modules on socio-demographic characteristics, the Petersburg Standardized Sleep Quality Questionnaire(PSQL) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). Data analysis was done with descriptive and logistic regression. All analyses were carried out using SPSS software V.19. Results A total of 275 students participated in this study. The mean age ± standard deviation (SD) was 22.1 ± 3.6 years. In the univariable model, students that were living in their own homes had the odds of 2.18 times more than the others to have a higher quality of life level [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-4.45]. Moreover, sleep disorder was negatively associated with the quality of life [odds ratio (OR) = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.12-0.46]. Conclusion These results will help university administrators and policy makers to identify factors associated with poor sleep and provide approaches to enhance sleep hygiene and relevant knowledge in university students. Living in a dormitoy while also suffering from sleep problems could significantly reduce the quality of life.

Chronic sleep reduction is associated with academic achievement and study concentration in higher education students.

Inadequate sleep impairs cognitive function and has been associated with worse academic achievement in higher education students; however, studies that control for relevant background factors and include knowledge on sleep hygiene are scarce. This study examined the association of chronic sleep reduction (i.e. symptoms of chronic sleep reduction such as shortness of sleep, sleepiness and irritation), subjective sleep quality and sleep hygiene knowledge with academic achievement (grades and study credits) and study concentration among 1378 higher education students (71% female, mean age 21.73years, SD=3.22) in the Netherlands. Demographic, health, lifestyle and study behaviour characteristics were included as covariates in hierarchical regression analyses. After controlling for significant covariates, only chronic sleep reduction remained a significant predictor of lower grades (last exam, average in current academic year). Better sleep quality and sleep hygiene knowledge were associated with better academic achievement, but significance was lost after controlling for covariates, except for a remaining positive association between sleep hygiene beliefs and grades in the current academic year. Moreover, better sleep quality and lower scores on chronic sleep reduction were associated with better study concentration after controlling for significant covariates. To conclude, chronic sleep reduction is associated with academic achievement and study concentration in higher education students. Inadequate sleep hygiene knowledge is moderately associated with worse academic achievement. Future research should investigate whether sleep hygiene interventions improve academic achievement in students of higher education.