Influence of usage of Facebook on sleep quality among undergraduates of Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Social media are internet-based mobile platforms that enwrap the global community in a closer sphere and with the advancements in technology, people have much tendency to use social media. Facebook is the most preferred social media platform worldwide and Sri Lanka as well. As it has a high capacity of attracting the young generation with all its applications, it is important to study about the effect of Facebook on sleep quality because sleep is an essential factor for a healthy human being. The objective of the study is to investigate the influence of usage of Facebook on sleep quality among undergraduates of Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka. Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among all MBBS and B.Sc. Nursing undergraduates of Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka through a self-administered online Google form questionnaire. Variables were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. A total of 381 undergraduates (61.8% of the total population) from Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka participated in the study. Among the participants majority were female 64.6% (n=246), Sinhalese 70.1% (n=267), Buddhist 63.3% (n=241), unmarried 95.5% (n=364), MBBS 75.3% (n=287), academic year 2019/2020 32.8% (n=125), in the age of 23 26.8% (n=102). In total 65.6% (n=250) of the participants reported that they have a good sleep quality while 34.4% (n=131) participants reported that they have a bad sleep quality. Despite the undergraduate course, the majority from both MBBS and B.Sc. Nursing students have a good sleep quality. Majority of the participants were Facebook users 61.41% (n=234). 152 of the Facebook users have a good sleep quality. 38.59% (n=147) of the respondents were not using Facebook and among them 98 were having a good sleep quality. Most of the participants 71.8% (n=168) use Facebook to watch videos, followed by, to connect with family and friends 63.7% (n=149), for passing away time 58.5% (n=137) and to being updated about latest news 52.1% (n=122). Majority 39.7% (n=93) use Facebook at night from 9pm to 4am. But very few 3.4% (n=8) use Facebook during the morning from 5 am to 12 p.m., Most of the Facebook users 45% (n=107) spend less than 2 hours daily on Facebook and use mobile phone 94.9% (n=222), mobile data and Wi-Fi 52.6% (n=123) to gain access to Facebook. Our study concludes that there is no significant association between Facebook usage and sleep quality among the undergraduates of Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Sri Lanka. Overall, the majority of both MBBS and B.Sc. Nursing undergraduates have a good sleep quality despite the fact of usage or non-usage of Facebook. Majority use Facebook to watch videos and they use Facebook more frequently during night time.