A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student' sleep patterns, sexual activity, screen use, and food intake: A global survey
Authors: Ellakany Passent, Zuñiga Roberto Ariel Abeldaño, El Tantawi Maha, Brown Brandon, Aly Nourhan M., Ezechi Oliver, Uzochukwu Benjamin, Abeldaño Giuliana Florencia, Ara Eshrat, Ayanore Martin Amogre, Gaffar Balgis, Al-Khanati Nuraldeen Maher, Ishabiyi Anthonia Omotola, Jafer Mohammed, Khan Abeedha Tu-Allah, Khalid Zumama, Lawal Folake Barakat, Lusher Joanne, Nzimande Ntombifuthi P., Osamika Bamidele Emmanuel, Quadri Mir Faeq Ali, Roque Mark, Shamala Anas, Al-Tammemi Ala’a B., Yousaf Muhammad Abrar, Virtanen Jorma I., Nguyen Annie Lu, Folayan Morenike Oluwatoyin
Publisher: Public Library of Science
Publication year: 2022
Journal: PLoS ONE
Article number: e0262617
Volume: 17
Issue: 1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262617
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/68845006
Background: The education sector experienced substantial impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic resulting from worldwide restrictions.
Purpose: To examine differences in the sleep patterns, sexual activity, screen use, and food intake of students and non-students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: This was a global cross-sectional study conducted in the second half of 2020 using multiple social media platforms to recruit study participants globally. A close-ended questionnaire was administered anonymously in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic to adults ages 18 and older. The outcome variables considered in analyses were changes in sleep pattern, sexual activity, screen use, and food intake. The explanatory variable was student status categorized as students vs. non-student. T-test, chi-square, and Mann Whitney U tests were used to assess differences between student and non-student populations. One logistic regression model was built for each outcome variable. Country of residence and country income level were included in the adjusted models.
Results: There were 17,008 participants of which 3,793 (22.3%) were students. Of the total sample, 4,889 (28.7%) reported changes in sleep, 4,642 (31.8%) reported increases in sexual activity, 10,278 (70.7%) reported increases in screen use, and 5,662 (40.2%) reported increases in food intake during the pandemic. Compared to non-students, students had significantly higher odds of reporting changes in sleep (AOR = 1.52), increases in sexual activity (AOR = 1.79), and increases in screen use (AOR = 1.36) but lower odds of reporting increase in food intake (AOR = 0.87).
Conclusion: Students displayed higher risk of experiencing changes in sleep, sexual behavior, and screen use during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has the potential to lead to broader adverse effects on students' overall wellbeing. The findings and implications raise further obligations on the education sector to put extra-curricular support systems in place that address COVID-19 related behavior changes that have the potential to adversely impact students' wellbeing.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |  |
