DETERMINANTS OF SLEEP QUALITY AMONG FEMALE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN HOSTEL SETTINGS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Sleep quality plays a significant role in influencing physical health, mental well-being, and academic performance among university students. Transitioning into hostel life during university years exposes students to various environmental and lifestyle factors, such as reduced physical activity, academic stress, and altered dietary habits, all of which contribute to poor sleep quality. However, the role of accommodation-related factors such as air conditioned (AC) versus non-air-conditioned (Non-AC) rooms, ventilation, thermal comfort, occupancy type, and available personal space remains largely unexplored. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 271 female students aged 17 to 35 years residing in different hostel settings at Delhi Technological University. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating components of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess the prevalence of poor sleep quality and identify its key determinants. The findings revealed that 88.2% of students experienced poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5). Factors such as high stress levels, caffeine consumption, irregular sleep–wake patterns, poor self-rated health, and type of residence were found to negatively influence sleep quality. Notably, poor sleep quality was more prevalent among students residing in Non-AC hostels, primarily due to environmental disturbances such as noise, poor ventilation, and thermal discomfort, resulting in higher PSQI scores compared to those living in AC hostels. With respect to lifestyle factors, 15.1% of students reported frequent use of eye masks while sleeping, 46.5% engaged in physical activity less than two days per week, and 17.2% reported regular caffeine consumption after 5 PM. However, caffeine intake and eye mask usage showed a relatively weaker association with sleep quality compared to environmental conditions and physical activity levels. Overall, the findings highlight that female students residing in hostels are at considerable risk of poor sleep quality, primarily due to environmental factors such as thermal discomfort in Non-AC hostels, inadequate ventilation, and external disturbances.