Objective. To evaluate sleep habits, sleep patterns, and sleep quality among Ethiopian college students; and to examine associations of poor sleep quality with consumption of caffeinated beverages and other stimulants. Methods. A total of 2,230 undergraduate students completed a self-administered comprehensive questionnaire which gathered information about sleep complaints, sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics,and theuse of caffeinated beverages and khat. We used multivariable logistic regression procedures to estimate odds ratios for the associations of poor sleep quality with sociodemographic and behavioral factors. Results. Overall 52.7% of students were classified as having poor sleep quality (51.8% among males and 56.9% among females). In adjusted multivariate analyses, caffeine consumption ( ; 95% CI: 1.25–1.92), cigarette smoking ( ; 95% CI: 1.06–2.63), and khat use ( , 95% CI: 1.09–2.71) were all associated with increased odds of long-sleep latency (>30 minutes). Cigarette smoking ( ; 95% CI: 1.11–2.73) and khat consumption ( ; 95% CI: 1.22–3.00) were also significantly associated with poor sleep efficiency (<85%), as well as with increased use of sleep medicine. Conclusion. Findings from the present study demonstrate the high prevalence of poor sleep quality and its association with stimulant use among college students. Preventive and educational programs for students should include modules that emphasize the importance of sleep and associated risk factors. 1. Introduction Sleep is important for maintaining good physical, mental, and emotional health [1]. Short sleep duration (generally defined as less than 7 hours) increases rates of mortality and has been reported as an important risk factor for adverse cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, and nervous system outcomes, such as obesity among adults and children, diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance, cardiovascular disease and hypertension, mood and anxiety disorders, and substance abuse [2–7]. Although there is a well-established body of evidence that has evaluated sleep among adults and children, few have investigated the prevalence and influences of poor sleep among younger, college-aged students. Furthermore, there is limited research on the influences of caffeine and the consumption of other stimulants on sleep duration and sleep quality among college-aged students and young adults. Caffeine, the most widely used drug in the world [8], is believed to influence the performance and mental state by lack or loss of sleep [9, 10]. Some studies have reported that caffeine is beneficial
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