Sleep health and its correlates among male and female military recruits in Jordan: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Introduction: Determining sleep quality and duration and the factors influencing the quality of sleep among the military is crucial for designing effective interventions. Given the strict and demanding nature of the military setting, it becomes essential to explore factors impacting sleep quality in such a context. Additionally, research in the Middle East and among females on this subject is scarce. This study aims to investigate sleep quality and different sleep-related variables such as sleep duration and sleep hygiene practices in addition to the correlates of sleep quality among recruits. Methods This is a cross-sectional study that included 178 (Mean age = 19 years) military recruits during their basic training at two medical military colleges in Jordan. Sleep quality and sleep hygiene practices were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI) respectively. Physical activity and dietary behaviors were measured using the Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS). Results The majority of recruits demonstrated poor sleep quality (80%) and suboptimal sleep hygiene practices (mean SHI = 21) with significantly poorer sleep hygiene practices among male recruits. The average duration of actual sleeping hours per day was around 6 hours (± 2.3 hours). Multiple regression analysis showed that age and SHI score were positively associated with the global sleep quality score (PSQI), while sleep knowledge score was negatively associated with sleep quality among the whole sample (adjusted R2 = 0.09). Performing gender breakdown for the correlates of sleep quality showed that limited sleep knowledge was specifically associated with poor sleep quality among male recruits (adjusted R2 = 0.11). Higher energy expenditure (total METs/week) and the SHI were positively associated with better sleep quality among female recruits (adjusted R2 = 0.15). Conclusions Jordanian military recruits on average had short sleep duration and poor sleep quality. Results showed that better sleep hygiene practices (especially among women) and more sleep knowledge (particularly among men) were associated with better sleep quality. Interventions that use cognitive and behavioral change methods to promote sleep hygiene and improve sleep knowledge are recommended to improve sleep quality among military recruits.