THE IMPACT OF CAFFEINE ON SLEEP QUALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS IN ERBIL CITY, KRG/IRAQ

Background: Caffeine is a widely consumed psychoactive substance, often used by university students to enhance alertness and cognitive performance. However, excessive caffeine intake may negatively impact sleep quality and mental health, particularly among students in demanding academic fields such as dentistry.
Objective: This study aims to assess the impact of caffeine consumption on sleep quality and mental health among dental students in Erbil City, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It examines caffeine intake patterns and their association with sleep disturbances and psychological well-being.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 dental students from universities in Erbil. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire consisting of four sections: socio-demographic characteristics, caffeine intake assessment (Modified Caffeine Intake Questionnaire), sleep quality evaluation (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and mental health assessment (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 28, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05.
Results: The majority of participants (68.2%) were female, and most (65.6%) were aged 21-23 years. About 62% consumed ≤400 mg of caffeine daily, with coffee and tea being the most common sources. Sleep disturbances were prevalent, with 46% of students reporting ≤6 hours of sleep per night. Mental health assessment revealed that 42.9% of
participants experienced varying degrees of dysphoria, hopelessness, and anxiety. A significant association was found between high caffeine intake and poor sleep quality, as well as increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Excessive caffeine consumption among dental students in Erbil is associated with poor sleep quality and negative mental health outcomes. Awareness programs and strategies promoting healthier sleep hygiene and responsible caffeine use are recommended to mitigate these effects.