Perceived effect of caffeine-containing products consumption on nocturnal sleep and daytime functioning among students of a private tertiary institution in southern Nigeria

Abstract

Context: University students who deprive themselves of enough nocturnal sleep due to academic activities are at risk of the deleterious effects of sleep deprivation that usually follow. To reverse these effects, they tend to consume substances such as caffeine to counteract fatigue and possibly give them the feeling of alertness they need to perform their daily activities given that there is a popular concern that the academic demands of University training can cause significant stress and the need to gain insight into the effects of caffeine on students.
Objective: This study set out to assess the self-reported effects of the consumption of caffeine-containing products on nocturnal sleep and daytime functioning among students of Novena University, Ogume Delta State, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design conducted among 400 students comprising 217 males and 183 females selected through random sampling. Data were collected using a 27-item questionnaire containing four sections; socio-demographic characteristics, caffeine consumption pattern, sleeping habits, and daytime functioning. The data was analysed using SPSS version 23 and presented in descriptive and inferential statistics at P <0.05 level of significance.
Results: More than one-third of the respondents (68.50%) affirmed consuming caffeine-containing products such as caffeinated drinks and beverages. Only 21.50% affirmed practicing sleep deprivation and 40.10% agreed that their consumption of caffeine-containing products increases during times of academic stress. There was a significant relationship between the hours of sleep of the respondents and their consumption of caffeine. More than half of the respondents (71.90%) affirmed experiencing daytime sleepiness while about 40% affirmed experiencing caffeine-induced daytime dysfunction.
Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between the level of caffeine consumption and students’ sleep quality. Caffeine-induced sleep deprivation and caffeine-induced daytime dysfunction are widespread among undergraduate students in the study population.