Nature and Science of Sleep (Sep 2022)

Insomnia Prevalence and Associated Factors Among University Students in Saudi Arabia During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown: A Large-Scale Survey

  • AlHadi AN,
  • Alhuwaydi AM

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 14
pp. 1651 – 1663

Abstract

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Ahmad N AlHadi,1,2 Ahmed M Alhuwaydi2,3 1Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2SABIC Psychological Health Research & Applications Chair (SPHRAC), Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Ahmad N AlHadi, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, King Saud University, PO Box 7805(55), Riyadh, 11472, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966118066343, Fax +966114672571, Email [email protected]: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has many psychological and physical effects to which university students are vulnerable. We aimed in this study to assess the prevalence of insomnia among university students in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown and associated factors.Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire to collect the responses of 5140 students from Saudi universities between April 24 and 30, 2020. Responders completed demographic questions and psychological scales, including the Insomnia Severity Scale (ISI), during the national lockdown period in Saudi Arabia.Results: Approximately, 41% of the sample suffered from moderate to severe insomnia. The mean ISI score was recorded as 12.9 (SD 6.62). Insomnia was associated with female sex, younger age, students from new universities, junior students, if a relative suffered from COVID-19, having a chronic medical illness, and having a psychiatric disorder. Insomnia was associated also with suicidal ideation.Conclusion: Insomnia prevalence was very high among Saudi university students during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. There were sociodemographic and medical factors associated with high insomnia prevalence. Universities need to plan and implement protective and intervention strategies to deal with this important issue.Keywords: insomnia, COVID-19, college student, suicide

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