Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Students sleep pattern, due to the stress of studying and teaching workload are different with other non-student peers. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of poor sleep quality in college students of Iran by a meta-analysis study, to be as a final measure for policy makers in this field. Methods: In this meta-analysis study, the databases of PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar and interior databases were searched up to November, 2014. Between the studies with regard to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 studies were selected. Data analyzed by using Stata11 software. Publication bias was assessed by Begg and Egger tests. Also heterogeneity assessed by Cochran’s Q statistic and I2 index. Couse of heterogeneity was evaluated by using meta-regression. Results: Total samples in the 15 studies were 3260. Begg and Egger tests with the P-value of 0.88 and 0.15 respectively, indicated the absence of publication bias. Cochran’s Q statistic and I2 index revealed heterogeneity of the samples (Q=975.26, P-value <0.001 and I2= 98.6). Overall prevalence of poor sleep quality in student based on the random effect was obtained 56.0% (95% CI: 43.2 – 68.7). Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of sleep quality and its increase in previous years, detection of affecting factors, intervention and preventive actions, and education about the importance of sleep and time management skills in students seem essential.