Exploring the Nexus Between Alcohol Consumption, Sleep Deprivation, and Memory Among Male Students at a Tertiary Institution in Ghana.

BACKGROUND

Alcohol consumption and poor sleep quality may affect cognitive function and overall health in young adults. The rising trend of alcohol use among university students, particularly males, coupled with the prevalence of sleep deprivation, poses a substantial risk for cognitive decline. This study aimed to evaluate the association between alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, and cognitive function among male university students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 242 male students at a university in Ghana. The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and neuropsychological tests such as the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Trail Making Test (TMT A and B), and the International HIV Dementia Scale were used to assess alcohol prevalence, sleep quality, and memory function, respectively.

RESULTS

Alcohol prevalence stood at 52.5%, along with poor sleep quality at 61.2% among participants. Alcohol use risk levels and sleep quality scores were significantly positively correlated (r = 0.29, p = 0.001). Additionally, PSQI subscales, sleep disturbance (p = 0.001) and daytime dysfunction (p = 0.001), were significantly positively correlated with AUDIT scores. Risky alcohol consumers with poor sleep quality status showed outcomes indicative of possible cognitive decline at statistically significant levels and were four times more likely to be classified as having a possible cognitive deficit (p = 0.038, AOR = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.09-17.70) compared to a no alcohol consumption with good sleep status group.

CONCLUSION

The outcome of this study shows that alcohol usage and poor sleep quality among male university students are associated with cognitive deficit; hence, the need for targeted interventions.