ABSTRACT
Background: Sleep is a vital component of human existence and is needed for preserving both physical and mental health. Better cognitive function, emotional stability, and physical wellbeing have all been linked to regular, quality sleep. Adequate sleep duration and quality are necessary for optimal health. A number of detrimental health effects, including cardiovascular disease, have been related to poor sleep habits. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sleep habits and cardiovascular health outcomes among University of Benin students. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study. A convenience sampling technique was used. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire was used to asses the sleep habits. Sociodemographic and health information form was used to obtain information on sociodemographic data, health status and results of the cardiovascular health outcomes. Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics(Spearman tho test) was used to summarize the data. Alpha level was 0.05. Results: Sleep habits: 41.3% have <5hours sleep duration, 41.3% have severe sleep latency, 2.8% have very bad sleep quality, 9.0% had between 64% - 74% sleep efficiency. Mean values for cardiovascular health outcomes:SBP-116.05, DBP-76.20, HR-83.16, Weight-67.707, Height-1.6721, BMI-24.66, Sp02-96.83 There was a significant relationship between sleep efficiency and SBP (r=0.130, p=0.009) and also a significant relationship between sleep latency and SpO2 (r=0.223, p=0.006). Conclusion: Undergraduates have short sleep duration, poor sleep latency, good sleep efficiency and good sleep quality. Sleep duration and sleep latency were associated with diastolic blood pressure and saturation of oxygen which may be associated with the risk of coronary heart disease. Keywords: Sleep habits, cardiovascular health.
