Prevalence of sleep disorders in a university undergraduate Population in Palestine

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Date
2010-10-20
Authors
Dr. Iyad Ali
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<p>Aim: Sleep disorders negatively affect the quality of life and learning of university students. Such disorders have not been studied among students in the Middle East. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of sleep disorders in a university undergraduate population in Palestine.</p> <p>Methods: The study group included 400 students of An-Najah National University / Palestine. Sleep patterns and disorders were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire.</p> <p>Results: Sleep quality was reported as “excellent” in only 21.8% and was significantly associated with some symptoms of insomnia but not parasomnias. The use of sleeping aid in the previous week was reported by less than 1% of participants. About 42% of the participants had gone to bed after midnight. About 19.2% of the participants had sleep latency more than one hour. About 40.1% of the participants experienced early morning awakenings at least three nights per week. Sleep talking (ST) was the most common symptom of parasomnia. About 6.7% of the participants reported ST at least three nights per week. About 48.8% experienced daytime sleepiness during classes at least 3 times per week. Sleep latency was significantly longer in males than females.</p> <p>Conclusion: The study showed that insomnia related symptoms, parasomnia, and daytime sleepiness are important and common among undergraduate university students.</p>
<p>Aim: Sleep disorders negatively affect the quality of life and learning of university students. Such disorders have not been studied among students in the Middle East. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of sleep disorders in a university undergraduate population in Palestine.</p> <p>Methods: The study group included 400 students of An-Najah National University / Palestine. Sleep patterns and disorders were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire.</p> <p>Results: Sleep quality was reported as “excellent” in only 21.8% and was significantly associated with some symptoms of insomnia but not parasomnias. The use of sleeping aid in the previous week was reported by less than 1% of participants. About 42% of the participants had gone to bed after midnight. About 19.2% of the participants had sleep latency more than one hour. About 40.1% of the participants experienced early morning awakenings at least three nights per week. Sleep talking (ST) was the most common symptom of parasomnia. About 6.7% of the participants reported ST at least three nights per week. About 48.8% experienced daytime sleepiness during classes at least 3 times per week. Sleep latency was significantly longer in males than females.</p> <p>Conclusion: The study showed that insomnia related symptoms, parasomnia, and daytime sleepiness are important and common among undergraduate university students.</p>
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