Date Available
4-29-2024
Year of Publication
2024
Document Type
DNP Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Faculty
Dr. Angela Grubbs
Committee Member
Dr. Lee Anne Walmsley
Faculty
Dr. Kent Brouwer
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
Recommended Citation
Cunningham, Caroline Lowe, "Evaluating the Effect of Sleep Hygiene Education on Sleep Quality Among First-Year College Students" (2024). DNP Projects. 468.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/dnp_etds/468
