Self-reported sleep disorders in secondary school students: an epidemiological and risk behavioural analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of self-reported sleep disorders (SD), to examine associations among demographic characteristics and familiar factors with SD, between SD and daytime sleep-related disorders (DD) and between evening habits and SD.


METHODS
An anonymous questionnaire was proposed to 1563 students (aged 14-21 years, mean age 16.5 +/- 1.5; 42.8% males, 57.2% females) attending all classes of two high schools in Verona (North-East of Italy). Data were analyzed by some personal and familial characteristics, by definition of three sleeper groups (non problem, occasional problem or problem-sleepers). Moreover SD were put in relation with DD and with some personal evening attitudes.


RESULTS
The 75.5% of the subjects report at least one SD. Difficulty falling asleep is the most frequent SD. The DD concern 91.2% of the sample. Females are more involved than males in SD and DD. All SD result strongly associated with the referred DD, except for sleepiness. Sport is significantly correlated with a minor prevalence of SD. Smoking and studying appear to be associated with SD.


CONCLUSIONS
Since SD in youth constitute an important Public Health matter with a severe social impact they would be accurately studied to offer youth appropriate counselling given the importance of lifestyle in determining good sleep.
Majori
S
S
Department of Medicine and Public Health, Hygiene and Environmental Occupational Preventive Medicine Division, University of Verona, Italy. silvia.majori@univr.it
Pasqualetto
C
C
Mantovani
W
W
Baldovin
T
T
Veronese
S
S
Marcer
D
D
Capretta
F
F
Sacchi
C
C
Baldo
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult