Prevalence and Risk Factors of Sleep Debt among Adolescent Undergraduates at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Good quality sleep is essential for academic success and overall well-being, yet many adolescent students struggle to get enough of it. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors associated with sleep debt among adolescents at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select a sample of 381 students from a population of 35,150. Five research questions guided the study. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.90. Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviation and chi-square were used for analysis. The findings showed that sleep debt was present in 67.0% of the adolescents. They reported unhealthy sleep habits, including inconsistent bedtimes and spending more than one hour on electronic devices after going to bed. At p < 0.05, the adolescents’ sleep environment, smartphone usage patterns, sleep problems, and academic performance were significantly associated with the prevalence of sleep debt among them. Reported effects of sleep debt included abrupt awakenings, excessive yawning, headaches and migraines, decreased concentration, and feelings of confusion. To mitigate these problems, adolescents should establish a consistent sleep schedule, limit screen time, and seek help for any sleep disorders they may have. This study concludes that the high rate of sleep debt among this population may lead to many adverse physical and behavioural consequences. Therefore, the university was recommended to incorporate sleep education into students’ orientation programs to help improve their sleep habits.