Factors associated with sleep disturbances in nursing students at the University of Palermo

Introduction : sleep disorders are very common among university students and can have negative effects on physical and mental health and academic performance. There is a close correlation between sleep disorders and psychological and behavioural problems such as anxiety, depression and alcohol abuse. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of sleep disorders and associated factors among nursing students at the University of Palermo. Materials and methods : the study is cross-sectional and was carried out in April 2024. The study population consisted of nursing students at the University of Palermo (Italy) and supplementary year students. Socio-demographic information, lifestyle habits and psychological symptoms were collected. Data were analysed by bivariate analysis and ordered logistic regression to identify variables associated with sleep disturbances. Results : the sample consisted of 575 women and 226 men, with a mean age of 22.71 years. The statistically significant variables are: age group, BMI, year of study, living with family, smoking habit, perceived economic and health status, alcohol abuse, anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms. Ordered logistic regression shows the sleep disturbances to be statistically significant at: anxious symptoms with severe intensity (aOR=2.16); depressive symptoms with mild (aOR=3.90), moderate (aOR=6.93), severe (aOR=9.96), very severe (aOR=14.60) intensity. Conclusions : there is a statistically significant association between sleep disorders and the presence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as with smoking habits and the risk of alcohol abuse. A careful assessment of sleep disorders is necessary in order to implement interventions to improve the quantity and quality of sleep among nursing students.