Sleep-related problems are growing among adolescent word-wide. The sleep recommendation for adolescents is at least 8-10 hours per night[1] . The brain becomes affected even after a few nights sleep loss[2]. This is evident in learning ability, memory, concentration, reaction time and mood changes. Health risks such as self-injury, increased drug use, reckless driving, hyperactivity, aggression and severe sleep problems are effects of recurrent sleep deprivation[3]. Depression, anxiety, concentration difficulties, hyperactivity and poorer performance in school are proven consequences of sleeping problems among children and adolescents[4][5][6].The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence of sleep duration and sleep problems, and their associations to IT/Media use, IT/Media use at bedtime, school stress and self-perception, among adolescents. This was a descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire study. The sample included 937 adolescents in last-year secondary school, in a municipality in the West of Sweden. Statistical analyses showed that 55% of the adolescents sleep less than the recommended eight hours per night and 11% have sleep problems. Based on the background variables, girls show worse outcomes in all measured variables. Adolescents who live with non-cohabiting parents sleep less and have more sleep problems than adolescents who live with cohabiting parents. Short sleep duration correlated with IT/media use and school stress. Sleep problems were also correlated with school stress and self-perception. There is a need to develop and implement adequate sleep prevention measures for adolescents. The results need to be taken seriously in-order to promote adolescents’ opportunities for good health and well-being. This knowledge should be disseminated, discussed and subsequently integrated into prevention and health promotion by School Nurses.

[1] National Sleep Foundation, 2015

[2] Könen, Dirk and Schmiedek,2015

[3] Schmidt & van der Linden, 2015

[4] Titova, Hogenkamp & Jacobsson, 2015

[5] Sivertsen, Harvey, Lundervold & Hysing, 2014

[6] Cleland Woods & Scott, 2016