Habitual and Demographic Determinants of Sleep Quality of Community Development College Students in Tanzania

This study intended to examine personal habits and demographic determinants of sleep quality in a sample of 640 students in the community development colleges in Tanzania. Two questions guiding the study sought to identify personal habits reported by college students that are likely to influence their sleep quality; and explain sleep problems from personal habits and demographic variables of community Development college students. Participants concurrently responded to the Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) and to the Sleep Deprivation scale (SDS). Other items in the questionnaire assessed the demographic information of the participants and personal habits presumed to determine sleep quality. Data were analyzed using techniques such as Principle Component Analysis (PCA), Pearson’s Moment Correlation Coefficient, and Direct Logistic Regression Analysis with an assistance of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). It was found that students’ sleep quality was uniquely explained by personal habits and demographic variables such as the number of times one wakes up at night, level for year of study, sleep deprivation and sex. It was concluded that sleep quality of college students is a product of a multifaceted influences including sex differences and daily habitual practices of the students. It has been recommended that policies should explicitly indicate it as a requirement for students to participate in fitness exercises, early sleep in the hostels as well as late start of studying schedules. In addition, policies should consider establishing psycho-social counselling desks where educative programs on sleep problems and their relationship with mental health should be taught.