Can Later School Time be the Solution to Public Health Problem of Insufficient Sleep in Indian Adolescence?

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DOI: 10.21522/TIJPH.2013.08.03.Art031

Authors : Deepesh Vaidya

Abstract:

Background: Sleep deprivation in adolescent students is a public health concern. Studies have pointed out that early school start time is an important factor that affects the sleep duration in high school students. This study aims to find out the effect of the later school start time on the adolescent students.

Material and methods: Adolescents studying in class 8th to 10th in the age group of 13-17 years were included in the study. Participate completed questionnaire that include demographic parameters, school start time, ESS score, Sleep wake behavior, sleep duration on weekdays and weekends were recorded using a preformed questionnaire.

Results: 5041 students, including 43.1% (n=2174) female and 56.9% (n=2867) male participated. The total sleep hours on weekdays were only 6.68±0.93 hours, whereas in weekends, their sleep duration was (8.51±1.36). The ESS score was higher in students who had a school start time starting from 7 am - 9 am (8.95±3.11) and who had after 11 am (9.94±2.93). The sleep-wake behavior score is lowest in students who had a school start time above 11 am (24±5.63).

Conclusion: Study indicates that students with later school start time have better sleep wake behavior, less daytime sleepiness and are less sleep deprived.

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