
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Fernando, Antonio 
A1  - Samaranayake, Chinthaka 
A1  - Blank, Christopher 
A1  - Roberts, Gareth 
A1  - Arroll, Bruce 
T1  - Sleep disorders among high school students in New Zealand
JF  - Journal of Primary Health Care
JO  - J Prim Health Care
Y1  - 2013
VL  - 5
IS  - 4
SP  - 276
EP  - 282
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/HC13276 
N2  - INTRODUCTION: Adolescents are known to have high risk factors for sleep disorders, yet the youth rates of sleep disturbances are unknown. AIM: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sleep disorders among New Zealand high school students. METHODS: The Auckland Sleep Questionnaire (ASQ) was administered to high school students at six schools in the North Island. Schools were chosen to reflect a range of ethnicities and school deciles, which identify the socioeconomic status of households in the school catchment area. RESULTS: A total of 1388 students completed the ASQ. The median age was 17 years (range 14&#x96;23) and females represented 43.5% (n=604) of the total group. A total of 37.2% of the students surveyed reported having significant sleep symptoms lasting longer than one month. Depression and anxiety were present in 51.7% and 44.8% of students reporting a sleep problem, respectively. A moderate correlation was observed between sleep problems and depression (r=0.34, p<0.01), and sleep problems and anxiety (r=0.31, p<0.01). Problem alcohol use and other substance use were more common in students with sleep symptoms (12.2% and 5.5% respectively). No difference was found in the rate of sleep problems reported by different ethnic groups. DISCUSSION: A considerable proportion of students surveyed reported significant sleep symptoms. This study has the potential to aid physicians within New Zealand in better appreciating the burden of sleep disorders faced by young people and in effectively assessing and managing different causes of sleep symptoms in this demographic. KEYWORDS: Adolescent; insomnia; sleep disorders; New Zealand 
ER  -

