Perceived Effect of Sleep Deprivation on the Health of Undergraduates in Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria

Sleep is a physiological state occurring in alternation with wakefulness, and its duration and quality are equally important for the quality of life, sleep deprivation on the other hand is described as not obtaining adequate total sleep or a condition of not having enough sleep. This study therefore examined the Perceived Effect of Sleep Deprivation on the Health of Undergraduates in Kwara State University Malete Kwara State. The study investigated; (i) Physical Health; & (ii) Mental Health; as Perceived Effect of Sleep Deprivation. A descriptive research design of survey method was used for the study. The population of the study consists of all undergraduates in Kwara State University. A multi stage sampling techniques was used to select 284 respondents for the study, Researcher’s designed questionnaire was validated, by the supervisor and three experts from the Department of Health Promotion and Environmental Health Education, University of Ilorin. A correlation co‑efficient ‘r’ of 0.7 was obtained through split half method using Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Data collection was conducted by the researchers and other trained research assistants. The two postulated null hypotheses were tested using the inferential statistics of chi‑square @0.05 alpha level. The findings from the study revealed that; i. Sleep deprivation have effect on undergraduates Physical Health with the calc. X² value of 247.01 ˃ table X² value of 16.92 at the freedom df 9 @ 0.05 alpha level and ii. Sleep deprivation have effect on undergraduates Mental Health with the calc. X² value of 132.14 ˃ table X² value of 16.92 at the freedom df 9 @ 0.05 alpha level. Based on the findings,it was concluded that sleep deprivation had effects on physical health and mental health, of Undergraduates in Kwara state University, therefore it was also recommended that Undergraduates should be enlightened deeply on the adverse physical and mental health effect that sleep deprivation can have on their health. These can be done through public health sensitisation and advocacy by Federal Government, State Government, NGO’s, and the University Lecturers and Health Worker. The mass media and social media also have their part to play in public health education and also religion leaders can also invite health workers to enlighten the entire congregation on the best sleeping practices.