Abstract
Body The availability and use of electronic devices has increased and people use them even in bed.
Objectives To investigate whether exposure to different electronic media in bed before sleep relates to sleep problems in Greek university students.
Methods An anonymous self report questionnaire was sent by e-mail concerning the use of electronic media in bed before sleep, the quality of sleep and somnolence the day after. Questions about using television (TV), computer, mobile phone (MP), tablet in bed, the different types of use of electronic devices (education or leisure) and the academic performance were included.
Results 650 students (39.5% males, 60.5% females, aged 21.9±2.7 years) participated. Mean hours of sleep on weekdays were 7.2 ± 1.4 and on weekends 8.5±1.7 with 50.5% feeling not refreshed in the morning; 24.6% had a TV in bedroom and 18% slept with TV on, 98.5% had a MP using it for 3.7±3.4h/day, 61.5% used it before sleep and 65.7% believed it delayed their sleep; 85.3% did not switch off MP during sleep and 95% used it as an alarm. 75.1% had a computer in bedroom (57.5%laptop) using it for 6.2±3.8h/week; 22% owned a tablet, 38% used it in bed. Social networking services were used from the majority of students and delayed their sleep (81%). A negative correlation was found between hours of night sleep, hours of watching TV (p=0.007) and hours of MP use (p=0.02). There was a correlation between academic performance, TV in bedroom and delayed sleep due to MP (p<0.0001).
Conclusion The use of electronic devices has an impact on sleep duration and academic performance of students.
- Copyright ©the authors 2017