Use of Technology by University Students as an Indicator of Their Sleep Quality

Vamping refers to the effect caused by using electronic devices (such as mobile phones, tablets, or computers) at night, reducing the necessary hours of sleep, with adolescents and young adults being the most vulnerable. One of the main reasons for using electronic devices late at night is that they provide greater privacy for social interactions and allow people to stay connected with social circles without interruptions. Additionally, academic demands associated with the “new normal” contribute to this behavior. It is important to assess whether the relationship between sleep habits and excessive use of electronic devices, particularly mobile phones, is causing adverse effects on university students’ emotional, social, and cultural well-being, academic performance, and, most notably, their sleep quality. With informed consent and the application of electronic evaluation instruments on sleep hygiene and excessive technology use, students from the fourth to the sixth semester in the Clinical Chemistry and Nursing and Midwifery undergraduate programs were assessed during the “new normal” phase. The results showed that nursing and midwifery students better understand sleep hygiene than clinical chemistry students. However, students from both programs demonstrated poor sleep quality, as most have constant access to a mobile phone and remain attentive to their devices even in the presence of others. In conclusion, excessive technology use, particularly mobile devices, leads to poor sleep quality among students in the Faculty of Health Sciences at UATx. Therefore, programs or plans for managing information use during appropriate hours and in suitable locations are necessary to improve their sleep quality.