Abstract

Background: Sleep inequality in college populations is an emerging public health concern, often shaped by both behavioral habits and environmental conditions. Objective: To explore behavioral and environmental determinants contributing to disparities in sleep quality among college students. Methods: Thirty-five participants (18 males, 17 females), aged 18–45 years, from diverse academic backgrounds, participated in in-depth qualitative interviews. Data were analyzed thematically to identify recurrent patterns influencing sleep. Results: Key behavioral factors included excessive screen use before bed (82.9%), academic stress (85.7%), and bedtime procrastination (77.1%). Environmental contributors were noise disturbance (71.4%), inconsistent lighting (62.9%), and poor ventilation or temperature extremes (48.6%). Interaction between behavioral and environmental factors amplified sleep inequality, with noticeable gender variations—female students more frequently cited safety concerns and environmental discomfort. Conclusion: Multifactorial interventions addressing both personal behaviors and environmental conditions are crucial to promoting equitable sleep health in college populations.

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