Hello darkness, my old friend: Electricity loadshedding effects on sleep and studying habits in South African university students

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Electricity loadshedding (planned power outages) has known impacts on the economy and people's everyday lives. Loadshedding removes control over lighting and room temperature, and backup generator use increases noise pollution, all of which may disrupt sleep. University students, already prone to poor sleep and high academic pressure, could be particularly vulnerable. We explored sleep characteristics by access to alternative power, and factors associated with self-reported changes in sleep due to loadshedding, in South African university students during 2023-the worst year in the country's loadshedding history. METHODS: A self-administered, cross-sectional, online questionnaire was used and distributed to all students registered at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. A total of 1124 students (mean age 22, 72% female) responded (3% of university population). RESULTS: Most students (73%) reported loadshedding affected sleep, with 80% reporting worse sleep. The most frequent disruptions were increased sleep fragmentation (51%) and onset latency (32%). Those with worse sleep more often reported a drop in grades than those with no change (59% vs. 38%, P = .015). Access to alternative power (40% of students) was associated with nearly 60% reduced odds of worse sleep in multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, degree level, accommodation, ancestry, and faculty (OR [95% CI] = 0.43 [0.32-0.56]). CONCLUSIONS: Loadshedding is associated with poorer self-reported sleep, studying habits, and grades, and may be linked to increased risk for mental and physical health problems. Solutions to mitigate its effects on sleep and safeguard health are needed.