Factors Leading to Late Sleeping Habits and its Effects on Academic Performance

Abstract

Background: For an adolescent the requirement of sleep does not decline though the opportunity to sleep is limited on account of lifestyle predilections, academic schedules, and compelling changes in the biological processes. Sleep affects physical growth, performance and emotional thinking in addition to influencing the cognitive functioning and attention span. Objective: The primary purpose of this study was to know the effects of late sleeping habits on academic performance in school girls aged 10-13 years and to identify the factors leading to late sleeping habits in school girls aged 10-13 years. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted on 355 girls studying in girls only schools. Multistage sampling technique was used. Sleep and academic performance questionnaire was administered after taking written informed consents from principals, students and their parents/guardians. Chi square test was applied for finding association between sleep habits and academic performance. P value less than 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: No significant association was found between late sleeping habit and academic performance since majority of the students i.e. 267 (75%) students slept before 11pm, the time which demarcates the late sleeping time with normal time. Significant association was found between habit of book reading before bed time and above average academic performance. Around 43% students drink milk before sleeping and majority watch television before sleeping. Likewise students who wake up fresh in the morning and do breakfast have above average academic performances. Conclusion: Study findings conclude that majority of the girl students in the age group of 10-13 years sleep at an appropriate time and satisfy the day’s requirement of 9 hours sleep. Therefore it does not affect their academic performance as majority of the students in the survey secured good grades. Key Words: Late Sleeping Habit, Academic Performance, Sleep Behavior, Bedroom Environment