2014

Sleeping disorders among students

of Penang Matriculation College

Nuraishah Binti Mohd Jamil

MS 1313512142
Nurul Nadia binti Hamdan
MS 1313511298
Nursyafiqa binti Hamzah
MS 1313510292
Nur Aida binti Mohamad
MS 1313510421
Norafifah binti Saiful Bahri
MS1313512135

1.1 Background of the study

Sleep is condition of body and mind such as that which typically recurs for several hours
every night, in which the nervous system is relatively inactive, the eyes closed, the postural
muscles relaxed, and consciousness practically suspended.
We have to sleep because it is essential to maintaining normal levels of cognitive skills such
as speech, memory, innovative and flexible thinking. In other words, sleep plays a significant
role in brain development.In general,every human will sleep at night and stay up during the day.
As time goes on , a lot of students have been spotted sleeping in the class during lectures.
There are a few factors that cause sleepiness. The major factors or reasons is sleeping
problems(sleeping disorders).This has prompted us to conduct a study among the students of
Penang Matriculation College to find out if they are having sleep disorders.

1.2 Research objectives

The issue of sleepiness among the students that is occurring in college is

catagorised as quite serious and can cause major implications towards their studies and
their future if it is not taken seriously and addressed appropriately.Therefore, our group is
interested to carry out a survey to find out if they are having sleep disorders.

Apart from that, the survey is also done to identify factors and effect of sleep
disorder towards their learning.

1.3 a)Research questions

1. Can majority of PMC students be labelled as person with sleeping disorders?
2. What are the effects of sleeping disorders towards students?
3. Did sleeping disorders effect their learning?

b)Hypothesis
1. The minority of PMC students are having sleep disorders.
2. The minority of PMC students are taking caffeine before sleep

Most of us have experienced trouble sleeping at one time or another. This is normal and usually
temporary, due to stress or other outside factors. But if sleep problems are a regular occurrence
and interfere with your daily life, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders
cause more than just sleepiness. The lack of quality sleep can have a negative impact on your
energy, emotional balance, and health. If youre experiencing sleeping problems, learn about the
symptoms of common sleep disorders, what you can do to help yourself, and when to see a
doctor.

Sleep can often be a barometer of your overall health. In many cases, people in good health tend
to sleep well, whereas those suffering from repeated sleeping problems might have an underlying
medical or mental health problem, be it minor or serious. Sleeping well is essential to your
physical health and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, even minimal sleep loss can take a toll
on your mood, energy, efficiency, and ability to handle stress. Ignoring sleep problems and
disorders can lead to poor health, accidents, impaired job performance, and relationship stress. If
you want to feel your best, stay healthy, and perform up to your potential, sleep is a necessity,
not a luxury.

Sleep is perverse as human nature,

Sleep is perverse as legislature....

So people who go to bed to sleep

Must count French premiers or sheep,
And people who ought to arise from bed
Yawn and go back to sleep instead.
Ogden Nash, Read This Vibrant Expose

3.1 Respondents

The respondents of our research consisted of 40 students of Penang Matriculation

College. There were 20 male and 20 female respondents.We distributed 40 questionnaires

equally to 10 students of pure science module, 10 students of physics module, 10

students of biology module.

3.2 Instruments

The instrument for this research was a questionnaire to collect data from the respondents.
We found that this is the best method to obtain the required information. The
questionnaire we designed comprised 16 questions.

3.3 Research procedure

The questionnaires were distributed to the 40 randomly selected respondents in Penang
Matriculation College. The respondents were given ample time to complete the
questionnaires before they were collected. The data obtained from the questionnaires
were then analysed.

5.1 Summary of findings

We carried out this research to determine whether students of Penang Matriculation
College having sleeping disorder by analyzing the means of duration of sleep among the
respondents,students who snore while asleep,students who fall asleep while reading a
book or watching television and the symptoms of sleeping disorder among the
students.Our findings showed that the majority of Penang Matriculation College students
have sufficient sleeps.Only small percentage of students suffer sleep disorder.There are
two groups which have the same percentage that is 32.35% which is also the dominent
and the students are from account and biology courses.Students of module pure science
and module physics

5.2 Limitations

This study did not include all the Penang Matriculation College students due to time
constraints and it is limited only to a sample population of this college.The number of
respondents are limited to 40 respondents only due to limited budget.The study also did
not include the Two-Year-Programme students due to constraints.
5.3

Percentage of students experience sleep

disorder
14.72
32.35
20.58

biology
account
pure science
32.35

Figure 1

physics

Based on figure 1, there are 34 out of 40 students in Penang Matriculation College who
experience sleeping disorder. 14.72% of students experience sleep disorder which are
also minor from physics stream. Apart from that, there is intermediate group which are
20.58% and from pure science students who suffering sleeping disorder. Lastly, there are
two groups which have the same percentage that is 32.35%. It is the dominent and the
students are from account and biology courses.

Effect of sleeping disorder among PMC

students(%)
70

67.5

67.5

67.5

62.5

62.5

60
50
40

37.5
32.5

37.5
32.5

32.5
yes

30

no

20
10
0
lack energy in
daytime

fall asleep while

reading,

morning
headaches

weight gain

trouble
concentration
or memory loss

Figure 2 : The effect of sleeping disorder among PMC students

Figure 2 shows that the effect of sleeping disorder among PMC students. There are 40 are
students take part. 67.5% of the students facing problem of lack of energy during

daytime. Besides, 62.5% of students have fall asleep while reading. Morning headaches
and weight gain are both affect total 32.5% of students. However, 67.5% students do not
have these problems. Lastly, 62.5% of students have trouble in concentration or memory
loss.

Symptoms of sleeping disorder among PMC

students(%)
67.5

67.5

62.5

70
60
50
40

37.5

32.5

32.5
yes

30

no

20
10
0
sleepwalk,
nightmares,night
terrors

snore

morning headaches

Figure 3: Symptoms of sleeping disorder among PMC students

Based on Figure 3, among the students . 67.5% students having symptoms of sleepwalk,
nightmares and night terrors. On the other hand, 32.5% of students does not having this

symptoms. It is also found out that 62.5% of students snore while sleeping and the other
37.5% of students do not have this problem. Moreover, 32.5% of students having
morning headaches while 67.5% more students does not.

Sleep duration of PMC students

1-2 hours
2-3 hours
3-4 hours
more than 5hours

Figure 4: Sleep duration of PMC students

Figure 4 shows sleep duration of PMC students. Through the survey, we found out that
50% of the students which is 20 students in total have sleep more than 5 hours everyday.
This is followed by 30% which is 17 students have sleep for 3-4 hours. Only 5% of PMC
students sleep for 2-3 hours. Apart from that, only 2.5% which including only a person
who sleep for only 1-2 hours a day.

Factors affecting sleep disorders(%)

60
50

57.5

55
45

42.5

57.5

57.5

42.5

42.5

40
30

yes

20

no

10
0
unpleasent
dream

drink more than 1

caffeine

drink coffee or
tea at bedtime

wake up
frequently during
sleep

Figure 5: Factors affecting sleep disorders

Figure 5 shows factors affecting sleep disorders. 55% of the students have unpleasant
dream while 45% of the students did not have this problem. We found out that 42.5%
students have drink more than 1 caffeine per day while 57.5% of the students did not
drink caffeine per day. The results for factor drink coffee or tea at bedtime is the same as
the result drink more than 1 caffeine per day which is 42.5% of students in total. It is also
found out 57.5% students does not encounter this problem. Lastly, 57.5% students wake

up frequently during their sleep compared to 42.5% of students who did not wake up
frequently during their sleep time.

Students who snore while asleep

Male
Female

Figure 6: Students who snore while asleep

Based on the above figure, we found out that majority of male students snore while
asleep with 70% compared to the female students which only include of 30% of them
who snore while asleep.

Students who fall asleep while reading a

book or watching television

Male
Female

Figure 7: students who fall asleep while reading a book or watching television

56% of male students fall asleep while reading a book or watching television while only
44% female students who fall asleep while reading a book or watching television.