The predictive effect of basic military training and general health status on sleep quality.

Abstract

Background: Military universities and academies affiliated with the law enforcement provide education for students who are physically and psychologically suitable for this field, unlike other university educations. This education can affect general health because it requires discipline and special effort both practically and theoretically. In this context, the aim of our study is to examine the general health status of military students in terms of some variables.

Materials and methods: One hundred twenty-two male students studying at the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Academy participated in the study. The general health status of the participants was determined by the SF-12 Brief Health Questionnaire, and their sleep quality was determined by the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In the analysis of the data, Spearmans' rho correlation, binomial logistic regression and scatter diagram analysis were used for independent groups. All analyses were performed in the Jamovi 2.3.21.0 analysis programme according to 95% confidence interval and 0.05 significance level.

Results: Increased physical and mental health scores of the participants, not smoking, and having a good diet were found to increase the likelihood of improving sleep quality. It was concluded that initial active duty for training, alcohol use, and being in a school team did not predict the likelihood of improving sleep quality.

Conclusions: As a result, it may be recommended that military students should have good general health, pay attention to nutrition and avoid smoking to improve low sleep quality.