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Factors Determining Sleep Patterns Among Individuals

Awe Joseph Kolawole, Professor O. Oyerinde

Abstract

Sleep is a vital physiological process essential for physical repair, cognitive function, and emotional balance. But even so, poor sleep has turned into a major global health crisis, with high rates seen everywhere from international cities to our local communities. Poor sleep quality is increasingly recognized as a major risk factor for chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and depression. This seminar looks closely at what determines sleep patterns for students and the general public, the toll it takes on our health and economy, and how we can actually fix it. The study was conducted through a synthesis of current epidemiological data and literature from global health bodies, such as the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , alongside specific regional studies from Africa and Nigeria. Research indicates a high prevalence of poor sleep quality, notably a 63% pooled prevalence among university students in Africa. In Osun State, Nigeria, over 70% of teachers and students report poor sleep patterns attributed to academic demands and late-night mobile phone use. The reasons for this are a mix of things we can’t change like age and genes and things we can, like our habits, environment, and even the heavy Nigerian meals we eat before bed. Adequate sleep is a public health necessity, not merely a personal habit. Fixing this requires a combined effort that includes better school schedules, workplace wellness, and government policies to tackle noise and light pollution. Future research should focus on the long-term health effects of poor sleep within the local cultural context to design more effective public health interventions.

Keywords

Sleep PatternsPublic HealthSleep HygieneCircadian RhythmNigeria. Words count :263

References

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