Abstract
Abstract
Background
Over-the-counter sleep aids containing diphenhydramine are widely accessible, yet their use among university students may raise concerns regarding self-medication and adverse effects. Evidence regarding Panadol Night use among university students in Lebanon remains limited. This study aimed to determine its prevalence and patterns of use and identify factors associated with its use, particularly sleep-related factors.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 402 university students in Lebanon using an anonymous, self-administered online questionnaire. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, Panadol Night use and perceptions, adverse effects, recommendation sources, insomnia, sleep quality, and perceived health. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, chi-square and exact tests, and multivariable binary logistic regression were used to examine factors associated with past-month Panadol Night use.
Results
Overall, 18.7% of participants reported lifetime Panadol Night use, 8.0% reported past-month use, and 4.7% reported current use. Approximately two-thirds of participants (66.2%) were classified as poor sleepers. Past-month users had significantly poorer sleep quality than non-users. In the primary multivariable model, participants aged 22–30 years had higher odds of past-month use than those aged 18–21 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.64, 95% CI 1.19–5.87), while greater perceived safety was also associated with use (aOR 2.02, 95% CI 1.11–3.70). Sleep quality showed a significant non-linear association with past-month use. In secondary analyses, physician-diagnosed insomnia (aOR 4.62, 95% CI 1.81–11.82) and increasing pain-related sleep disturbance (aOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.13–2.45) were independently associated with use. Among lifetime users, past-month use was also associated with reported side effects, self-decision, and social-media recommendation.
Conclusions
Panadol Night use was associated with poorer sleep, insomnia, pain-related sleep disturbance, older age, and greater perceived safety among Lebanese university students. Self-directed use and reported adverse effects among recent users further highlight the need for education on appropriate over-the-counter sleep-aid use and better recognition and management of underlying sleep problems.