Effect of Ramadan fasting on sleep quality of nursing students in Turkey

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the sleep quality of fourth-year nursing at the beginning of (pre)Ramadan and at the end of (post)Ramadan. The study was conducted with controlled design with pre-test and post-test on fourth-year nursing students (n = 73) between 7 April and 19 May 2021 in Turkey. The data were collected through using a questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) which was applied pre Ramadan and post Ramadan. It was determined that the PSQI mean scores of the nursing students were found to be 6.39 ± 3.69 pre Ramadan and 6.32 ± 2.74 post Ramadan (p > 0.05). Statistically significant difference was found in PSQI total mean score as a function of status of having sleep problems (p < 0.05) in students during pre Ramadan only. It was found that the fourth-year nursing students had poor sleep quality and fasting during Ramadan impaired sleep quality. According to the results, the assessment of the sleep-wake cycle of students during Ramadan by academicians, especially during nursing education, may avoid possible problems and also enhancement of the sleep quality of them may contribute to both academic achievement.

KEYWORDS:

• Nursing
• student
• fasting
• sleep quality

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank students who participated in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.