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Sleep habits in Nigerian undergraduates
1Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. osaoluwole@hotmail.com
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|December 3, 2009
Summary
Nigerian undergraduates report short night sleep durations, similar to Western countries. They experience frequent intra-night awakenings and non-restorative sleep, often with long daytime naps.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Science
- Public Health
- African Demographics
Background:
- Limited data exists on sleep duration in African populations compared to developed nations.
- This study investigates sleep patterns among Nigerian university students.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the quantity of night sleep in Nigerian undergraduates.
- To identify factors associated with non-restorative sleep.
- To describe general sleep habits within this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A 14-day prospective study utilizing questionnaires.
- Data collected on sleep timings, awakenings, sleep quality, and napping behavior.
Main Results:
- Mean night sleep duration was 6.2 hours; daytime naps averaged 70 minutes.
- Non-restorative sleep affected 25% of total sleep time, linked to short sleep, hypnotics, alarms, workload, and naps.
- Intra-night awakenings occurred in 58.5% of sleep periods; 82% of students took afternoon naps.
Conclusions:
- Night sleep duration in this Nigerian population mirrors that of Western countries.
- Intra-night awakenings and non-restorative sleep are more prevalent.
- Afternoon naps frequently exceed one hour.
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