Light Pollution Associated with Delayed Sleep Time: A Major Hygienic Problem in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: It was well established that exposure to nighttime light was responsible of a diverse negative health effect. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the epidemiologic exposure to artificial light at night time and negative health consequences that associated with prolonged nighttime lighting exposure. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional survey, involving a total of 266 Saudi residents living in the city of Hail, Northern KSA. Essential information regarding exposure to light at night time was obtained. Results: The overall incidence of nighttime light exposure in the present study was 65.8% for general population, was 61.5% males and was 38.5% for females. About 75.6% persons used to sleep for <6 hours and 36.8% individuals used to sleep on light exposure. Conclusion: Prolonged exposure to the light at nighttime is prevalent in Saudi Arabia. This exposure usually results from late sleep in the nighttime and the late awake in the daytime.

Aptitude measurement: is measurement validity compromised in the morning

“…It is interesting to note that the average amount of sleep that college students get around the world ranges anywhere from 6.4 to 8 h per night (e.g., Sweileh et al, 2011). It is also interesting to note that estimates for Saudi college students are exactly at the low bound estimate of 6.4 h that is reported in the international literature (Ahmed et al, 2017). Al-Hazzaa et al (2012) indicated that similar quantities were found in Saudi Arabian adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 years old.…”

“…There are questions about whether these results would hold true in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia despite the overwhelming empirical evidence in favor of morning testing in the international literature, which is partly driven by a “circadian preference for daily activities” ( Putilov, 2017 ). According to Önder (2022) , sleep deprivation and the presence of light pollution alone cause a mismatch between the biological and social rhythm when a late-night nap is taken when an early wake-up is necessary ( Ahmed et al, 2017 ). Consequently, for students in Saudi Arabia early class attendance and morning testing may suffer for reasons discussed next.…”