Prevalence of Sleep Disorders in Adolescents and its Relation with Screen Time during the COVID-19 Pandemic Era

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sleep disorders encompass disturbances in the amount, quality, or timing of sleep. Several factors have contributed to sleep disorders in adolescents, including the use of electronic devices. In the COVID-19 pandemic era, there is a rising trend of screen time. AIM: The objective of the study was to identify the prevalence of sleep disorders in adolescents and its relation with screen time during the COVID-19 pandemic era. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study involving students aged 15–18 years at three State High School, Denpasar, and Santo Yoseph Senior High School, Denpasar, in August 2020, using purposive sampling method. Data collections on characteristics of the subjects and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were performed using Google Forms. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square test. RESULTS: A total of 243 students participated in this study, of which 39 students were excluded due to chronic diseases and consumption of caffeine within 6 h before bedtime. Sleep disorder was found in 30.4% of subjects and mostly characterized by sleep duration of <8 h (62.9%). Analysis of the association between screen time and sleep disorders showed a significant result (PR = 3.8, 95%CI = 1.09–13.1, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of sleep disorders in adolescents is considerably high. There is an association between screen time and sleep disorders that occur in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic era.

Effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on sleep quality in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale was used in five studies and was the most commonly used scale in adolescents. Three studies found that sleep quality worsened during the COVID‐19 pandemic (Silva et al, 2022 ; Windiani et al, 2021 ; Zhou et al, 2020 ). Two studies pointed to an increased prevalence of sleep disturbances (Windiani et al, 2021 ; Zhou et al, 2020 ), and four studies showed an increase in sleep duration during COVID‐19 in adolescents (Genta et al, 2021 ; Silva et al, 2022 ; Windiani et al, 2021 ; Zhou et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Regarding the use of electronic devices, eight studies reported an increase during the pandemic with an association with sleep (Abid et al, 2021 ; Aguilar‐Farias et al, 2021 ; Dutta et al, 2022 ; Liu et al, 2021 ; Ranjbar et al, 2021 ; Silva et al, 2020 ; Windiani et al, 2021 ). An increase of 3.05 h of electronic use was observed during COVID‐19; before the pandemic the average time was 1.66 h. Another study found that the increase was 36% in children.…”

Changes and correlates of screen time in adults and children during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…90 Non-academic screen time was negatively associated with sleep duration (r=À0¢41; p=<0¢01). 92 Overall screen time was also associated with increased odds of sleep disorders (OR=3¢80 95%CI 1¢09 −13¢1), 107 and tablet (r = 0¢17; p=<0¢05) and smartphone time (r = 0¢30; p=<0¢001) were both associated with 'sleep problems' (TV time was not significantly associated with sleep problems). 91 Problematic screen time behaviours.…”

“…57 Children. In children, 24 studies 9,11,15,66,72,74,76,79,81,83,86,88,[90][91][92]95,98,99,103,[105][106][107]109,111 reported 181 outcomes across the following areas: diet, eye health, mental health, physical activity, parental health, physiology, sleep, and problematic behaviours (see Supplementary Table 3).…”

“…88 Sleep. Regarding sleep, five studies 76,[90][91][92]107 with seven independent outcomes were included, of which 86% (6/7) were significant.…”