Date Available

4-29-2024

Year of Publication

2024

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Angela Grubbs

Clinical Mentor

Dr. Kent Brouwer

Committee Member

Dr. Elizabeth Tovar

Committee Member

Dr. Lee Anne Walmsley

Abstract

Abstract

Background: The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends college students should get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Only one-third currently meet this recommendation. Poor sleep negatively affects academic performance, mood, and interpersonal relationships. Sleep hygiene is recommended to improve sleep quality and quantity.

Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to determine the effect of implementing a sleep hygiene educational intervention in classes intended for first-year college students at the University of Kentucky.

Methods: This quasi-experimental project utilized the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index to assess participants’ sleep before an in-person sleep hygiene education and after implementing an individualized sleep hygiene tip. Follow-up surveys were sent to participants at four and 12 weeks.

Results: A total of 51 participants completed the pre-test, and two participants completed the first of two post-tests. A majority were 18 years old, female, living on campus, and unemployed. On average, participants took 28 minutes to fall asleep and slept 6-7 hours of sleep each night. Ninety-two percent of pre-test scores indicated poor sleep quality.

Conclusions: An overwhelming majority of participants do not get adequate, quality sleep each night. When compared to the national average, first-year UK students experience a higher prevalence of short sleep duration. Sleep hygiene can help improve sleep quality and quantity for this population, but timeliness of implementation and follow-up is essential for better data collection and statistical analysis.

Keywords: sleep hygiene intervention, sleep hygiene education, college students

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