Melatonin gummy self-medication among indian youth: a cross-sectional study of sleep quality, lifestyle factors, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract
Background: Sleep disturbances have become increasingly common among young people, especially after the COVID 19 pandemic, and the use of over-the-counter sleep aids has increased, especially melatonin. The palatable nature of melatonin gummies and their convenient accessibility have increased their popularity among the young, where the use of these substances is not regulated by a doctor. Aim: The aim of the current research is to determine the rates and trends of self-medication using melatonin gummies among Indian youth and to determine the relationship between these factors and their sleep quality, lifestyle habits, and influencing factors of COVID-19. Methods: An online Google Form using social media platforms administered a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study to 1450 participants aged 18 years to 30 years. Sleep quality was assessed using a self-developed structured sleep assessment questionnaire including subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, sleep latency, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction. Melatonin use, self-medication habits, lifestyle, and adverse effects were gathered. Statistical procedures were done by the use of SPSS where descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied with p < 0.05 taken to be significant. Results: The prevalence of melatonin gummy use was 54.4%. Almost half (49.6%) of the respondents had mild sleep disturbance with 34.2% having poor sleep quality. There was a significant association between poor sleep quality…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 1,450 participants or records.
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