Study on Sleeping Habits in College Going Females

Present study was undertaken to assess distribution of chronotypes (morning, intermediate, evening) and their relationship with sleep habits and quality in young, college-going females in Raipur, India. The secondary objective was to raise awareness about the importance of chronotype and sleep for health and academic performance in this population. This cross-sectional, observational study recruited 1186 female college students (mean age 19.08 ± 0.05 years). General information form the participants was obtained along with Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, stepwise regression, and chi-square tests. The distribution of chronotypes was 72 % morning type (MT), 27 % intermediate type (IT), and 1% evening type (ET). A significant negative correlation was found between MEQ score and bed time, wake time, sleep duration, mid-sleep, and global PSQI score, indicating that eveningness is associated with delayed sleep timing and poorer sleep quality. Chronotype had statistically significant effect on sleep parameters (p < 0.01 ) Bed time, wake time, and global PSQI score were identified as the best predictors of chronotype, which was significantly associated with internet use, sleep duration, and sleep quality, but not with playing sports, menstruation cycle regularity, or eating habits. A strong morning preference was observed in this population of Indian college females. Eveningness was associated with delayed sleep schedules, longer sleep duration, and poorer sleep quality. These findings highlight the interplay between circadian preferences and sleep health. Targeted interventions, promoting healthy sleep habits, by considering individual chronotypes, could induce well-being and academic success of college students.