Citation

Majori S, Pasqualetto C, Mantovani W, Baldovin T, Veronese S, Marcer D, Capretta F, Sacchi C, Baldo V. J. Prev. Med. Hyg. 2009; 50(2): 102-108.

Affiliation

Department of Medicine and Public Health, Hygiene and Environmental Occupational Preventive Medicine Division, University of Verona, Italy. silvia.majori@univr.it

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Pacini Editore)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

20099440

Abstract

PURPOSE: 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.

Language: en