Abstract
IMPACT OF ELECTRONIC GADGET USE ON SLEEP OF MIDDLE SCHOOL CHILDREN IN A SCHOOL IN ABU DHABI

To assess the impact electronic gadget use on sleep of middle school children in Abu Dhabi. A cross-sectional study conducted among students from grades 7, 8 and 9 of a School in Abu Dhabi. Out of the 343 participants, 77.3% had inadequate sleep, out of which 87.9% were users of electronic gadgets and the rest were non-users. Among the moderate users of mobile phones, 80.5% were seen to have inadequate sleep, while 70.9% of the excessive mobile phone users had inadequate sleep. Nearly 78.2% of moderate users and 72.2% of excessive users of tablets were seen to have inadequate sleep. The increased use of electronic gadgets was seen to have an impact on the sleep of middle school children. Majority (77%) of the students reported to have inadequate sleep, which may not only affect their behavior and their capability to perform daily activities, but also their levels of stress and attentiveness.