Sleep difficulties and use of prescription and non-prescription sleep aids in Portuguese higher education students
Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The present study aims to characterize the prevalence, the pattern of medically prescribed and over-the-counter medication/supplements in Higher Education students, as well as to relate the consumption of sleeping medication with insomnia severity, sleep effort, sleep locus of control, anxiety, and depression. Data was collected from a sample of 2029 Portuguese Higher Education students, aged ≥18 years old, being approximately 75% women and 25% men. Thirty-one percent of the sample considered suffering from insomnia, 6% consumed sleeping medication prescribed by a physician, 4% consumed OTC (over-the-counter) medication/supplements, and 2% undergone psychotherapy. Among the Higher Education students with insomnia, 19% reported consuming sleep medication prescribed by a physician, benzodiazepines were the most prescribed drug class, and the General Practitioner the physician who prescribed most frequently. Twelve percent of students with insomnia consumed OTC medication/supplements, with Valerian being the most consumed substance. Among students with insomnia, only 8% undergone psychotherapy.
Source: Sleep Epidemiology
Institutions: University of Aveiro, University of Coimbra, Henry Ford Hospital
Language: English
Topic: Sleep and related disorders
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,500
OpenAlex ID: W3212994604