Sleep Deprivation Among School-Going Adolescents in an Urban Setting in Kerala (India); Descriptive Study

Objectives: To study the prevalence of sleep deprivation (SLD) and associated risk factors among school-going adolescents of 9th to 12th grades (13-18 years) in an urban setting in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Study Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. Methodology: The participants were selected through random sampling. Self-administered structured questionnaire focusing on sleep habits, study habits, before bed screen-time, and parental sleep habits was administered to them. Weight and height were measured to calculate Body Mass Index. Results: Out of the 426 students, 29 were excluded and 302 students (76.07%) had SLD. Mean age was 15.79 years (standard deviation: 1.23). Univariate analysis showed adolescents above 15 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2203, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.380-3.517), students of 11th and 12th (OR = 2.205, 95% CI: 1.380-3.523), sleeping after 10 PM (OR = 19.617, 95% CI: 10.586-36.355), waking up before 6 AM (OR = 2.586, 95% CI: 1.554-4.304), sleeping after parents (OR = 2.356, 95% CI: 1.415-3.922) had significant risk. On multivariate analysis, students of 11th and 12th (adjusted OR [aOR] = 3.197, 95% CI: 1.107-9.234), going to bed after 10 PM(aOR = 51.49, 95% CI: 20.211-131.180), waking up before 6 AM (aOR = 51.49, 95% CI: 20.211-131.180), and sleeping after parents (aOR = 1.927, 95% CI: 1.011-3.673) were significant. Conclusion: Prevalence of SLD among adolescents aged 13 to 18 years was 76.07%. Higher secondary classes, going to sleep after 10 PM, waking up before 6 AM, and sleeping after parents had significant SLD. Good sleep habits can be promoted by including their importance in school curriculum.