The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Anxiety Levels and Sleep among University Students

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to examine the effects of the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the anxiety and sleep levels of university students. Materials and Methods: The population of this descriptive study consisted of students who studied in health departments. The data were collected with a questionnaire that consisted of the descriptive characteristics form, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results: A total of 70.5% of the students who participated in the study were female. 9.0% of the students use drugs and 38.4% of them smoke. The difference between anxiety score averages and having a chronic disease, continuous drug use, smoking, and being a disabled person in the living environment is significant. Sleep quality scores were found to be “elevated” and significant for those who constantly used drugs, had a family member with a disability and/or a person over the age of 65, and those who smoked. It also affected the sleep quality scores of those who were infected with the Coronavirus, those who had family members with Coronavirus in their family, and/or students who had a relative who died from the Coronavirus. Conclusion: It can be argued that the anxiety frequency of the students increased and their sleep quality deteriorated during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Having a family member over the age of 65, having a disabled person, being infected with the Coronavirus and/or losing one of their relatives to the Coronavirus affected the anxiety and sleep quality scores of the students.