Effect of COVID-19 Lockdown on Sleep Quality and Insomnia in Collegiate Students

Background and aim: The COVID-19 Pandemic necessitates strict lockdowns worldwide to prevent its spread, which has hurt people's lives, including students, on a physical, economic, and emotional level. This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the quality of sleep and the prevalence of insomnia among college students in Chennai. Methods: Using a random sampling approach, collegiate students (n=450) are invited to complete Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Frequencies, unpaired T-test, and the chi-square test were the statistical techniques employed to assess the data. Results: The findings imply that 48% of students experienced poor sleep quality, and 37% reported Subthreshold insomnia during the COVID-19 lockdown. Even though no gender difference was observed regarding the overall sleep quality and insomnia scores, there is a significant association observed between gender with sleep quality; however, those failed to show a significant association with insomnia. Conclusions: Thus, the study concluded that the lockdown has affected sleep quality and led to insomnia among college students.