Objective:

To determine the factors associated with sleep duration, daytime somnolence and insomnia before and after a period of classes and exams periods.

Material and methods:

384students (74.1% female) were evaluated, who reported their weight and height. The insomnia questionnaire and Epworth sleepiness scale were administered to each student during class period and exams period.

Results:

When comparing daytime somnolence, insomnia, sleep latency and the amount of sleeping hours between classes and exam periods an increase in sleep latency (p <0.05) was observed during exams. Fewer hours of sleep were observed in both periods (p <0.05) in women with overweight / obesity. In men, those who are overweight / obese show a higher daytime somnolence during exam periods (p <0.01). By performing the logistic regression analysis using daytime somnolence as a dependent variable, being a woman increases the risk of daytime somnolence (OR = 3.1, 95 % CI 1.1 to 8.8), whereas the absence of insomnia is a protective factor for daytime somnolence (OR = 0.06, 95 % CI 0.01 to 0.35).

Conclusion:

Sleep latency is significantly increased during exam period, especially in women; in men a decrease is observed in sleep hours. Finally, women present high risk of diurnal somnolence, in difference the absence of insomnia is a protective factor, however the nutritional status and caffeine intake was not associated with sleeping problems.

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