Assessing of Sleepiness, Insomnia and Sleep Quality among University Students: Association between Computer Use and Sleep Quality

Purpose: To investigate associations between computer use data and sleep quality among university students. Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed on 312 students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Data was collected using Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index (TSI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and a background and computer use questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, independent samples test, Univariate analysis of variance and Chi Square test were used to analyze the data. Results: The final sample was composed of 164 (52.6%) male and 148 (47.4%) female students aged 17-30 years. The mean of assessed sleep indices were not significantly different between the male and female groups (P = .05). Among all the participants, 81.1% were poor sleepers (PSQI ≥ 5), 60.58% of them suffered from insomnia (ISI ≥ 8), and 49.36% of them reported sleepiness (ESS ≥ 10). There was a significant association between the computer work (hours/ day) and ISI and PSQI indices (P = .05). Students who used computer between 24:00 to 2:00 had a meaningful higher ISI and PSQI indices compared to those whose computer use interval was 19:00 to 22:00. The prevalence of eye discomfort and the headache associated with computer use was significantly more common among female students. We found a significant association between the headache precededby computer use and ISI and PSQI indices (P = .05). Conclusion: Poor sleep quality and insomnia were common among university students. The amount of prevalence was higher among nocturnal (24:00-2:00) computer users and those with prolonged durations of use. Also, the headache associated with computer use deteriorates the quantity and quality of sleeping.