Association between screen exposure and sleep among primary school students in Jiading District of Shanghai

Objective To investigate the impacts of screen exposure on sleep duration and sleep quality among primary school students in Jiading District of Shanghai, and to provide a scientific basis for managing screen time and improving sleep quality for this population. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1 889 students in grades 1-5, who were randomly selected from three primary schools in Jiading District, Shanghai. Data on demographic characteristics, screen exposure duration, sleep duration, and sleep quality were collected using a self-designed questionnaire survey.. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the associations of screen exposure with sleep duration and sleep quality. Results The average daily sleep duration among primary school students in Jiading District was (9.39 ± 0.70) h, and the rate of insufficient sleep was 84.12%. Multivariate logistic regression analyses found that, compared to the non-screen exposure group, students with screen exposure had significantly increased risks of bedtime resistance (OR=1.632, 95%CI: 1.307–2.039), sleep onset delay (OR=1.686, 95%CI: 1.172–2.424), sleep anxiety (OR=1.351, 95% CI=1.075–1.697), parasomnia (OR=1.483, 95%CI: 1.107–1.987), and sleep-disordered breathing (OR=1.707, 95%CI: 1.213–2.402). Conclusion Excessive screen exposure had negative impacts on the sleep quality of primary school students. Schools and parents should pay attention to children's sleep management, and reduce the negative impacts of excessive screen exposure on sleep quality by controlling the use of electronic equipment and establishing regular work and rest.