ArticlePDF Available

Abstract and Figures

Background: Sleep is essential for the body, mind, memory, and learning. However, the relationship between sleep quality, stress, and academic performance has not been sufficiently addressed in the literature. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of sleep and psychological stress among medical students and investigate the relationship between sleep quality, stress, and academic performance. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study targeted all medical students in their preclinical years at a Saudi medical college in 2019. All students were asked to complete an electronic self-administered questionnaire comprising the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), questions on the students' current overall grade point average, and other demographic and lifestyle factors. The associations between categorical variables were analyzed using Pearson's Chi-squared test at 0.05 significance level. Results: The mean PSQI score was 8.13 ± 3.46; 77% of the participants reported poor quality of sleep and 63.5% reported some level of psychological stress (mean K10 score: 23.72 ± 8.55). Poor quality of sleep was significantly associated with elevated mental stress levels (P < 0.001) and daytime naps (P = 0.035). Stepwise logistic regression model showed that stress and daytime nap were associated with poor sleep quality. Whereas, poor sleep or stress did not show any significant association with academic performance. Conclusion: Poor sleep quality was significantly associated with elevated levels of strees. However, they did not show any statistically significant relationship with academic performance.
Content may be subject to copyright.
© 2020 Journal of Family and Community Medicine | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow 23
The relationship between sleep quality,
stress, and academic performance
among medical students
Abdullah D. Alotaibi, Faris M. Alosaimi, Abdullah A. Alajlan, Khalid A. Bin
Abdulrahman
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Sleep is essential for the body, mind, memory, and learning. However, the
relationship between sleep quality, stress, and academic performance has not been sufciently
addressed in the literature. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of sleep and psychological
stress among medical students and investigate the relationship between sleep quality, stress, and
academic performance.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study targeted all medical students in their
preclinical years at a Saudi medical college in 2019. All students were asked to complete an electronic
self-administered questionnaire comprising the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Kessler
Psychological Distress Scale (K10), questions on the students’ current overall grade point average,
and other demographic and lifestyle factors. The associations between categorical variables were
analyzed using Pearson’s Chi‑squared test at 0.05 signicance level.
RESULTS: The mean PSQI score was 8.13 ± 3.46; 77% of the participants reported poor quality
of sleep and 63.5% reported some level of psychological stress (mean K10 score: 23.72 ± 8.55).
Poor quality of sleep was signicantly associated with elevated mental stress levels (P < 0.001) and
daytime naps (P = 0.035). Stepwise logistic regression model showed that stress and daytime nap
were associated with poor sleep quality. Whereas, poor sleep or stress did not show any signicant
association with academic performance.
CONCLUSION: Poor sleep quality was signicantly associated with elevated levels of strees.
However, they did not show any statistically signicant relationship with academic performance.
Keywords:
Academic performance, medical education, medical students, sleep, sleep quality, stress
Introduction
Sleep, an essential therapeutic part of
human physiology, has been well
established as critically important for
functioning, mental health, and good quality
of life.[1] Sleep deprivation has a wide range
of harmful effects on human biology and is
associated with fatigue, daytime sleepiness,
and reduced neurocognitive performance.[2]
Cognitive performance in students, including
concentration and estimated efforts to
complete tasks, is negatively affected by
sleep deprivation.[3] The prevalence of poor
sleep quality varies between countries. Using
the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), it
has been reported to be as low as 19% in a
Chinese study and as high as 55.8% in a study
in Ethiopia.[4,5]
Sleep is vital for the enhancement of
working memory capacity and memory
consolidation.[6] A meta‑analysis of
seventy studies concluded that acute sleep
Address for
correspondence:
Dr. Abdullah Dhaifallah
Alotaibi,
College of Medicine, Imam
Mohammad Ibn Saud
Islamic University, Othman
Bin A󰀨an Road Al‑Nada,
P.O. Box 7544,
Riyadh 13317-4233,
Saudi Arabia.
E‑mail: adhotb@
gmail.com
College of Medicine, Imam
Mohammad Ibn Saud
Islamic University, Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia
Original Article
Access this article online
Quick Response Code:
Website:
www.jfcmonline.com
DOI:
10.4103/jfcm.JFCM_132_19
How to cite this article: Alotaibi AD, Alosaimi FM,
Alajlan AA, Bin Abdulrahman KA. The relationship
between sleep quality, stress, and academic
performance among medical students. J Fam
Community Med 2020;27:23‑8.
This is an open access journal, and articles are
distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution‑NonCommercial‑ShareAlike 4.0 License, which
allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work
non‑commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the
new creaons are licensed under the idencal terms.
For reprints contact: reprints@medknow.com
Received: 30-06-19
Revised: 27-09-19
Accepted: 15‑10‑19
Published: 13-01-20
[Downloaded free from http://www.jfcmonline.com on Monday, January 13, 2020, IP: 93.168.137.48]
Alotaibi, et al.: Sleep, stress, and performance
24 Journal of Family and Community Medicine - Volume 27, Issue 1, January-April 2020
deprivation harms most cognitive domains, such as
simple attention, intricate attention, working memory,
and short‑term memory.[7] A prospective study from the
1990s identied prolonged psychological stress in college
students who had reported symptoms of insomnia.[8]
A delayed circadian rhythm also leads to poor sleep
quality, especially during examination periods, and
both have been found to negatively affect academic
performance.[9,10] Stress, another factor prevalent among
medical students, worsens the quality of sleep.[11]
Increased levels of stress have been found to be related
to lower academic performance; however, appropriate
coping strategies have been shown to help students deal
with the negative impact of psychological distress.[12‑14]
Very few studies in Saudi Arabia have addressed the
relationship between sleep quality, stress, and academic
performance of medical students, and their ndings
on the impact of sleep on academic performance are
variable,[15‑18] although poor sleep quality as high as
76% has been reported.[18] Nevertheless, the majority
of Saudi medical students think that the quality of
their sleep is good.[18,19] Multiple local data sources
have also suggested high stress levels in medical
students.[18,20,21] The current study aims to assess sleep
quality and psychological stress in medical students in
their preclinical years and investigate the relationship
between sleep quality, stress, and academic performance.
Materials and Methods
This observational, cross‑sectional study was conducted
at the College of Medicine at Imam Muhammad
Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia, between February and June 2019. The
study targeted all medical students in their preclinical
phase (1st, 2nd, and 3rd years). In this phase, the college
follows an outcome‑based, community‑oriented,
integrated system in which students attend lectures
and are engaged in problem‑based learning (PBL) small
group tutorials. Students are evaluated during and at the
end of each body system block.
An electronic self‑administered questionnaire was
distributed by six well‑trained data collectors, two for
each academic year. To ensure adequate representation
of the study population, the link was restricted to groups
of invitees only. A total of 230 participants were required
to obtain a 95% condence level and a 5% margin of error.
The link was open from April 7, 2019, to May 7, 2019,
and reminders were sent every 3 days.
Ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board
of IMSIU was obtained for the study. Participants were
informed of the objectives of the study, and informed
written consent was obtained from them. They were
free to withdraw from the study at any stage; their
information was kept condential and used for research
purposes only.
The questionnaire had items on demographic and
lifestyle characteristics (age, gender, marital status,
work status, residency, academic level, and frequency
of caffeine intake and daytime naps) and measures
of sleep quality, psychological distress, and academic
performance.
Sleep quality was assessed using the global score of the
PSQI[22] which starts with four questions on bedtime, sleep
latency, wake‑up time, and the total hours of actual sleep
during the last month. Then, there were 14 questions in
a scale form on several suggested factors that troubled
sleep such as the utilization of sleep medications,
daytime sleepiness, enthusiasm for productivity, and a
concluding self‑rating question of the overall quality of
sleep in the past month. Finally, the global PSQI score
was calculated using seven components formed from the
content items. The PSQI is considered a cornerstone tool
for the measurement of sleep quality.[22,23]
The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was
used to investigate the prevalence and levels of stress in
medical students. The K10 has ten questions that assessed
anxiety and depressive symptoms during the previous
month. Items on a 5‑point scale had scores ranging from
10 to 50. Scores from 20 to 24 were considered mild
distress, 25–29 were moderate, and 30 or higher were
severe. The K10 is a popular global tool for assessing
nonspecic psychological distress in population‑based
studies.[24]
Academic performance was measured using the
student’s current overall grade point average (GPA).
Self‑reported overall GPA has been frequently used
as a measurement of academic achievement in similar
studies. Furthermore, high reliability and correlation
with GPAs reported by the academic registry had been
established.[25,26] We classied GPA according to the
grading system at IMSIU (out of 5.0, the grades 4.5–5.0
are excellent, 3.5–4.49 are very good, and <3.5 are good,
pass, or fail).
Data were imported into Microsoft Excel 2016 and
analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social
Sciences (SPSS), Version 25.0 (REL. 2017; IBM Corp.,
Armonk, NY., USA). Categorical variables were
presented as frequencies and percentages and continuous
variables as means and standard deviations. The
associations between categorical variables were
analyzed using Pearson’s Chi‑squared test ± continuity
correction. To determine the predictors of poor
sleep quality in medical students, a simple logistic
[Downloaded free from http://www.jfcmonline.com on Monday, January 13, 2020, IP: 93.168.137.48]
Alotaibi, et al.: Sleep, stress, and performance
Journal of Family and Community Medicine ‑ Volume 27, Issue 1, January‑April 2020 25
regression analysis was initially used to explore the
data. Multivariable stepwise binary logistic regression
analysis was then performed. The odds ratios (OR) and
95% condence intervals (95% CI) were calculated, and
the Hosmer–Lemeshow test was used to assess model
goodness of t. Statistical signicance for all associations
was considered to be at P < 0.05.
Results
The characteristics of the study participants are presented
in Table 1. The total number of participants was 282;
64.5% were male, 61% were aged 21–24 years, and 36.5%
were aged 18–21 years. The majority of students were
single (n = 276, 97.9%), did not have a job (n = 223, 79.1%),
and were living with their families (n = 269, 95.4%).
For the academic level, 39% of the respondents were in
their 1st year, 25.9% in their 2nd year, and 35.1% in their
3rd year. Most students were rated very good (32.6%; GPA:
3.5–4.49) or excellent (33%; GPA: 4.5–5.0) in their academic
performance; about one‑third were good or below (34.4%;
GPA: <3.5). Assessed dietary habits included frequency of
caffeine consumption; 61.7% of the respondents consumed
caffeine daily, 18.8% consumed it weekly (2–5 times per
week), and 19.5% consumed every 2 weeks or less.
The prevalence of poor sleep quality of the participants
was 77% (n = 217, mean PSQI score: 8.13 ± 3.46). The
period from 00:00 to 1:59 was the most frequent for
bedtime (n = 145, 51.4%) followed by the period from 2:00
to 3:59 (n = 73, 25.9%); only 19.1% had a usual bedtime
before midnight. The average total hours of sleep were
5.87 ± 1.56 per night. However, >43% reported having
a daytime nap. The overall total hours of actual sleep
ranged from 2 to 12.
Distress was also prevalent: 63.5% of the students
exhibited positive distress on the K10 (n = 179). More
than 41% of the respondents had either a moderate or
severe level of distress, and approximately one‑fourth
had a severe level of distress. Mild and moderate levels
were 22% and 17.4%, respectively. The K10 scores
covered the entire possible range, from 10 to 50, with a
mean score of 23.72 ± 8.55.
Table 2 presents the associations of poor sleep quality and
stress with GPA, work status, and other variables in the
study. A greater proportion of participants who had poor
sleep quality reported distress compared to participants
who did not have poor sleep quality (68.7% and 46.2%,
respectively; P = 0.002). The prevalence of poor sleep
quality also increased with each distress level: 67.7% for
mild distress, 87.8% for moderate distress, and 94.1% for
severe distress (P < 0.001). Taking a daytime nap showed
a statistically signicant association with poor sleep
quality, with 81.9% of the participants who took daytime
naps reporting poor sleep quality compared to only 70.5%
of the participants who did not take naps (P = 0.035).
In contrast, poor sleep quality was nearly the same
between the genders and academic levels. Similarly, there
was no difference in the distress suffered by students who
took daytime naps and those who did not or between
Table 1: Characteristics of medical students in
preclinical years (n=282)
Characteristics N (%)
Gender
Male 100 (64.5)
Female 182 (35.5)
Age (years)
18-<21 103 (36.5)
21-<24 172 (61.0)
≥24 7 (2.5)
Marital status
Single 276 (97.9)
Married 6 (2.1)
Residency
With family 269 (95.4)
University/private 13 (4.6)
Academic level
1st year 110 (39.0)
2nd year 73 (25.9)
3rd year 99 (35.1)
Caffeine intake
Daily 174 (61.7)
Weekly 53 (18.8)
<1/week 55 (19.5)
Work
Yes 59 (20.9)
No 223 (79.1)
Daytime nap
Yes 122 (43.3)
No 160 (56.7)
GPA
4.5-5 93 (33.0)
3.5-4.49 92 (32.6)
<3.5 97 (34.4)
Poor sleep quality
Yes 217 (77.0)
No 65 (23.0)
Bedtime
Before 22:00 6 (2.1)
22:00-23:59 48 (17.0)
00:00-1:59 145 (51.4)
02:00-3:59 73 (25.9)
04:00 or later 10 (3,5)
Distress
Well 103 (36.5)
Mild 62 (22.0)
Moderate 49 (17.4)
Severe 68 (24.1)
Work includes nonconstant, part-time, and full-time jobs. GPA=Grade point
average
[Downloaded free from http://www.jfcmonline.com on Monday, January 13, 2020, IP: 93.168.137.48]
Alotaibi, et al.: Sleep, stress, and performance
26 Journal of Family and Community Medicine - Volume 27, Issue 1, January-April 2020
students who worked and those who did not. Students’
current overall GPAs also did not show significant
associations with poor sleep quality or distress level.
The multivariable stepwise binary logistic regression
analysis to predict poor sleep quality in the participants
is shown in Table 3. High levels of distress were
highly associated with poor sleep quality. For
instance, normal (OR = 0.108, 95% CI: 0.036–0.325) and
mild (OR = 0.112, 95% CI: 0.035–0.358) distress showed
signicant negative associations with poor sleep, but
there was no signicant difference between the moderate
distress level and the high distress level, which was used
as a reference (OR = 0.383, 95% CI: 0.101–1.458, P = 0.159).
Compared to students who took daytime naps, those who
did not nap had only 0.453 times the odds of reporting
poor sleep quality (95% CI: 0.250–0.821, P = 0.009).
Discussion
In the present study, 77% of the participants had a poor
quality of sleep. This result is similar to other studies
in Saudi Arabia (76% and 74.2%).[18,27] However, a
study from the Southern region of Saudi Arabia had a
different result (29.7%).[28] Internationally, the quality
of sleep of medical students has generally been found
to be better: 50.9% in the United States,[29] 55.8% in
Ethiopia,[5] 19% in China, and 40% in Lithuania.[4] The
prevalence of stress in participants in the current study
was 63.5%, which is also higher than similar local and
international studies. For instance, a prevalence of about
53% was found in two colleges in Riyadh[18,20] and 41.9%
in Malaysia.[30]
Examination periods increase both stress and poor sleep
quality of medical students.[10,31] Ahrberg et al. found
that the quality of sleep of students in the 5 weeks
preceding examinations was signicantly worse than in
the semester or 4 weeks afterward.[10] This could be an
explanation for the high prevalence of poor sleep quality
in the present study, since students were enrolled in a
3–6‑week block systems in which they were assessed by
weekly PBL sessions, mid‑block and nal examinations,
and tutorial and seminar assessments.
Table 2: Characteristics of the medical students in their preclinical years by sleep quality and stress (n=282)
Characteristics Poor sleep quality P-Value Stress P-Value
YES
N (%)
NO
N (%)
YES
N (%)
NO
N (%)
Gender
Male 141 (77.5) 41 (22.5) 0.894 98 (53.8) 84 (46.2) <0.001
Female 76 (76) 24 (24.0) 81 (81.0) 19 (19.0)
Academic level
1st year 86 (78.2) 24 (21.8) 0.780 74 (67.3) 36 (32.7) 0.503
2nd year 54 (74.0) 19 (26.0) 43 (58.9) 30 (41.1)
3rd year 77 (77.8) 22 (22.2) 62 (62.6) 37 (37.4)
Caffeine intake
Daily 140 (80.5) 34 (19.5) 0.206 110 (63.2) 64 (36.8) 0.753
Weekly 38 (71.7) 15 (28.3) 32 (60.4) 21 (39.6)
<1/week 39 (70.9) 16 (29.1) 37 (67.3) 18 (32.7)
Work
Yes 51 (86.4) 8 (13.6) 0.076 39 (66.1) 20 (33.9) 0.750
No 166 (74.4) 57 (25.6) 140 (62.8) 83 (37.2)
Daytime nap
Yes 131 (81.9) 29 (18.1) 0.035 102 (63.7) 58 (36.3) 1.000
No 86 (70.5) 36 (29.5) 77 (63.1) 45 (36.9)
GPA
4.5-5 74 (79.6) 19 (20.4) 0.117 52 (55.9) 41 (44.1) 0.175
3.5-4.5 64 (69.6) 28 (30.4) 61 (66.3) 31 (33.7)
3.49≥ 79 (81.4) 18 (18.6) 66 (68.0) 31 (32.0)
Sleep quality
Poor 149 (68.7) 68 (31.3) 0.002
Not poor 30 (46.2) 35 (53.8)
Distress
Well 68 (66.0) 35 (34.0) <0.001
Mild 42 (67.7) 20 (32.3)
Moderate 43 (87.8) 6 (12.2)
Severe 64 (94.1) 4 (5.9)
Work includes nonconstant, part-time, and full-time jobs. GPA=Grade point average
[Downloaded free from http://www.jfcmonline.com on Monday, January 13, 2020, IP: 93.168.137.48]
Alotaibi, et al.: Sleep, stress, and performance
Journal of Family and Community Medicine - Volume 27, Issue 1, January-April 2020 27
Poor sleep quality was significantly associated
with the level of stress in medical students in this
study (P < 0.001). This association has been widely
reported.[10,14,31] Morin et al. found that participants who
had symptoms of insomnia were more stressed than
noninsomniacs.[14] They also concluded that there was
either a direct or indirect relationship between insomnia
and stress, nighttime arousal, and emotional responses
to stress. Notably, stress was more prevalent in female
students in this study (P < 0.001), but no signicant
association between gender and sleep quality was found.
In spite of the expected start of the first lecture of
the day (8:00 am), the majority of students (80.8%)
reported that they had gone to bed at midnight or later.
Similarly delayed bedtime was found in other local
universities (12:06 am ± 1.58; 1:53 am ± 3:51; and 77.2%
at midnight or later).[15,18,19] In a study from Thailand,
54% of the students reported a bedtime between 10.00
pm and 12.00 am, but during examination periods, 41%
of the students would go to bed between 2:00 am and
4:00 am.[32]
Taking a daytime nap not only increases afternoon
alertness but also negatively affects sleep quality in
young adults.[33,34] However, in our study, daytime
naps showed a signicant association with, and were
predictive of, poor sleep quality. This suggests that
napping by participants in this study was more likely
to be compensated for insufcient nighttime sleep than
planned, and habitual compensatory daytime naps are
frequently used to cope with altered circadian rhythms.[9]
The negative impact of poor sleep quality and stress on
academic performance has been well reported in the
literature.[9,10,12] However, surprisingly, in this study,
academic performance showed no statistically signicant
association with sleep quality or stress levels. This result
is similar to data reported by Alqarni et al., Al‑Zahrani
et al., and Abdulghani et al.[16,17,21] Conversely, some local
studies have concluded that sleep disorders negatively
affect academic performance.[15,35] This inconsistency
in local studies may draw attention to the new trends
in sleep–wake habits and their relationship to the
professional life of young adults in Saudi Arabia. This
point, as well as the cultural aspects (sleep–wake patterns
in hot countries), should be taken into consideration in
future studies.
This study was based in a single institution, so the
specic environment of that institution may have had
an impact on the accuracy of the generalizability of
the results. The cross‑sectional design, which collected
responses at a single point in time, could not provide
a causal relationship between variables. Furthermore,
since students were asked about their sleep quality and
stress in the previous month, there could have been
recall bias. We recommend that future studies continue
to investigate different psychological and behavioral
parameters of medical students and their impact on
academic performance and assess the role of different
medical pedagogies and ways of assessment in that
relationship. In the meantime, sleep quality and levels
of stress in medical students could be improved with
campaigns on sleep education, counseling on time
management, and plans for treatment.[36‑38]
Conclusion
This study showed that the quality of sleep in medical
students in their preclinical years was poor and
their stress levels elevated, with these two variables
signicantly associated. Furthermore, stress and daytime
naps were signicant predictors of poor sleep quality.
Stress was more prevalent among females. Surprisingly,
academic performance did not show any statistically
signicant association with sleep quality or stress levels.
Researchers and medical educationists are encouraged
to continue to assess students’ well‑being, methods of
education, and factors that affect academic performance
and in the meantime improve students’ sleep quality
through counseling and educational campaigns.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conicts of interest
There are no conicts of interest.
References
1. Altevogt BM, Colten HR. Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation:
An Unmet Public Health Problem.Washington, D.C.: National
Academies Press; 2006.
2. Aldabal L, Bahammam AS. Metabolic, endocrine, and immune
consequences of sleep deprivation. Open Respir Med J
2011;5:31‑43.
3. Pilcher JJ, Walters AS. How sleep deprivation affects psychological
variables related to college students’ cognitive performance. J Am
Coll Health 1997;46:121‑6.
Table 3: Correlates of poor sleep quality among the
medical students in their preclinical years
Predictors P-Value OR 95% CI
Daytime nap
No 0.009 0.453 0.250-0.821
Yes -
Distress
Distress
Well <0.001 0.108 0.036-0.325
Mild <0.001 0.112 0.035-0.358
Moderate 0.159 0.383 0.101-1.458
Severe -
CI=Condence interval, OR=Odds ratio
[Downloaded free from http://www.jfcmonline.com on Monday, January 13, 2020, IP: 93.168.137.48]
Alotaibi, et al.: Sleep, stress, and performance
28 Journal of Family and Community Medicine - Volume 27, Issue 1, January-April 2020
4. Azad MC, Fraser K, Rumana N, Abdullah AF, Shahana N,
Hanly PJ, et al. Sleep disturbances among medical students:
A global perspective. J Clin Sleep Med 2015;11:69‑74.
5. Lemma S, Gelaye B, Berhane Y, Worku A, Williams MA. Sleep quality and
its psychological correlates among university students in Ethiopia:
A cross‑sectional study. BMC Psychiatry 2012;12:237.
6. Fenn KM, Hambrick DZ. Individual differences in working memory
capacity predict sleep‑dependent memory consolidation. J Exp
Psychol Gen 2012;141:404‑10.
7. Lim J, Dinges DF. A meta‑analysis of the impact of short‑term sleep
deprivation on cognitive variables. Psychol Bull 2010;136:375‑89.
8. Chang PP, Ford DE, Mead LA, Cooper‑Patrick L, Klag MJ.
Insomnia in young men and subsequent depression. The Johns
Hopkins precursors study. Am J Epidemiol 1997;146:105‑14.
9. Phillips AJ, Clerx WM, O’Brien CS, Sano A, Barger LK, Picard RW,
et al. Irregular sleep/wake patterns are associated with poorer
academic performance and delayed circadian and sleep/wake
timing. Sci Rep 2017;7:3216.
10. Ahrberg K, Dresler M, Niedermaier S, Steiger A, Genzel L. The interaction
between sleep quality and academic performance. J Psychiatr Res
2012;46:1618‑22.
11. Åkerstedt T, Orsini N, Petersen H, Axelsson J, Lekander M,
Kecklund G. Predicting sleep quality from stress and prior
sleep – A study of day‑to‑day covariation across six weeks. Sleep
Med 2012;13:674‑9.
12. Stewart SM, Lam TH, Betson CL, Wong CM, Wong AM. A prospective
analysis of stress and academic performance in the rst two years of
medical school. Med Educ 1999;33:243‑50.
13. Sohail N. Stress and academic performance among medical students.
J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2013;23:67‑71.
14. Morin CM, Rodrigue S, Ivers H. Role of stress, arousal, and coping
skills in primary insomnia. Psychosom Med 2003;65:259‑67.
15. Bahammam AS, Alaseem AM, Alzakri AA, Almeneessier AS,
Sharif MM. The relationship between sleep and wake habits and
academic performance in medical students: A cross‑sectional
study. BMC Med Educ 2012;12:61.
16. Al‑Zahrani JM, Aldossari KK, Abdulmajeed I, Al‑Ghamdi SH,
Al‑Shamrani AM, Al‑Qahtani NS. Daytime sleepiness and
academic performance among medical students. Health Sci J
2016;10:1‑5.
17. Alqarni AB, Alzahrani NJ, Alsofyani MA. The interaction between
sleep quality and academic performance among the medical
students in Taif university. Egypt J Hosp Med 2018;70:2202‑8.
18. Almojali AI, Almalki SA, Alothman AS, Masuadi EM, Alaqeel MK.
The prevalence and association of stress with sleep quality among
medical students. J Epidemiol Glob Health 2017;7:169‑74.
19. Alsaggaf MA, Wali SO, Merdad RA, Merdad LA. Sleep quantity,
quality, and insomnia symptoms of medical students during
clinical years. Relationship with stress and academic performance.
Saudi Med J 2016;37:173‑82.
20. Abdel Rahman AG, Al Hashim BN, Al Hiji NK, Al‑Abbad Z. Stress
among medical Saudi students at college of medicine, King Faisal
university. J Prev Med Hyg 2013;54:195‑9.
21. Abdulghani HM, AlKanhal AA, Mahmoud ES,
Ponnamperuma GG, Alfaris EA. Stress and its effects on medical
students: A cross‑sectional study at a college of medicine in Saudi
Arabia. J Health Popul Nutr 2011;29:516‑22.
22. Buysse DJ, Reynolds CF 3rd, Monk TH, Berman SR, Kupfer DJ. The
Pittsburgh sleep quality index: A new instrument for psychiatric
practice and research. Psychiatry Res 1989;28:193‑213.
23. Backhaus J, Junghanns K, Broocks A, Riemann D, Hohagen F.
Test‑retest reliability and validity of the pittsburgh sleep quality
index in primary insomnia. J Psychosom Res 2002;53:737‑40.
24. Kessler RC, Andrews G, Colpe LJ, Hiripi E, Mroczek DK,
Normand SL, et al. Short screening scales to monitor population
prevalences and trends in non‑specic psychological distress.
Psychol Med 2002;32:959‑76.
25. Bacon DR, Bean B. GPA in research studies: An invaluable but
neglected opportunity. J Mark Educ 2006;28:35‑42.
26. Cassady JC. Self‑reported GPA and SAT: A methodological note.
Pract Assess Res Eval 2001;7:1‑6.
27. Siddiqui AF, Al‑Musa H, Al‑Amri H, Al‑Qahtani A, Al‑Shahrani M,
Al‑Qahtani M. Sleep patterns and predictors of poor sleep quality
among medical students in King Khalid university, Saudi Arabia.
Malays J Med Sci 2016;23:94‑102.
28. Asiri AK, Almetrek MA, Alsamghan AS, Mustafa O, Alshehri SF.
Impact of twitter and whatsapp on sleep quality among medical
students in king Khalid university, Saudi Arabia. Sleep Hypn Int
J 2018; 20:247‑52.
29. Brick CA, Seely DL, Palermo TM. Association between sleep
hygiene and sleep quality in medical students. Behav Sleep Med
2010;8:113‑21.
30. Sherina MS, Rampal L, Kaneson N. Psychological stress among
undergraduate medical students. Med J Malaysia 2004;59:207‑11.
31. Zunhammer M, Eichhammer P, Busch V. Sleep quality during
exam stress: The role of alcohol, caffeine and nicotine. PLoS One
2014;9:e109490.
32. Sitticharoon C, Srisuma S, Kanavitoon S, Summachiwakij S.
Exploratory study of factors related to educational scores of rst
preclinical year medical students. Adv Physiol Educ 2014;38:25‑33.
33. Gillberg M, Kecklund G, Axelsson J, Akerstedt T. The effects of a
short daytime nap after restricted night sleep. Sleep 1996;19:570‑5.
34. Pilcher JJ, Michalowski KR, Carrigan RD. The prevalence of
daytime napping and its relationship to night time sleep. Behav
Med 2001;27:71‑6.
35. Abdulghani HM, Alrowais NA, Bin‑Saad NS, Al‑Subaie NM,
Haji AM, Alhaqwi AI. Sleep disorder among medical students:
Relationship to their academic performance. Med Teach
2012;34 Suppl 1:S37‑41.
36. Orzech KM, Salafsky DB, Hamilton LA. The state of sleep among
college students at a large public university. J Am Coll Health
2011;59:612‑9.
37. Brown FC, Buboltz WC Jr., Soper B. Development and
evaluation of the sleep treatment and education program for
students (STEPS). J Am Coll Health 2006;54:231‑7.
38. Macan TH, Shahani C, Dipboye RL, Phillips AP. College students’
time management: Correlations with academic performance and
stress. J Educ Psychol 1990;82:760.
[Downloaded free from http://www.jfcmonline.com on Monday, January 13, 2020, IP: 93.168.137.48]
... For instance, Lange et al. (2022), in a systematic review of 53 studies, found that workers who engaged in corrupt practices often faced high levels of stress and anxiety, driven by the fear of detection and potential punishment. This chronic stress can lead to disrupted sleep, persistent unease, and ultimately a decline in overall mental well-being (Alotaibi et al., 2020;Herawati & Gayatri, 2019;Kowalczuk et al., 2021;Merrill, 2022). ...
... These unhealthy habits become temporary outlets for the turmoil they face yet may negatively impact their mental well-being. Research indicates that emotional responses such as stress and anxiety are often connected with negative health behaviors, especially poor sleep or insomnia, which can diminish mental well-being over time (Alotaibi et al., 2020;Herawati & Gayatri, 2019;Kowalczuk et al., 2021). ...
... Prolong periods of self-isolation can increase feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, which are linked to poorer mental well-being. While our study findings extends on the poor health behaviors of the EIT by revealing that self-isolation could also be poor health behavior, our findings corroborate with previous research that observed that stress, anxiety, guilt and shame result in unhealthy behaviors such as poor sleeping or insomnia, which could diminish mental well-being (Alotaibi et al., 2020;Herawati & Gayatri, 2019;Kowalczuk et al., 2021;Merrill, 2022). ...
Article
Full-text available
The mental well-being cost of corruption on public sector workers (PSWs) involved in corrupt practices remains a “black box” and is largely under-researched in corruption literature. This study, guided by Ethical Impact Theory, used qualitative vignettes and semi-structured interviews to give voice to the experiences of thirty-two (32) PSWs caught up in the complexity of corruption in Ghana. PSWs reported poor mental well-being symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, sadness, sleeping difficulty, and low self-esteem when engaged in corrupt activities. However, certain factors such as positive social standing, power, self-preservation, survival mechanisms, lack of moral conflict and religion were identified as the reasons for variations in experiences of the influence of corruption on mental well-being among participants. The findings emphasize the significance of the mental well-being cost of engaging in corruption, which may undermine job performance and productivity, ultimately resulting in overall inefficiency within the public service.
... Despite the growing corpus of international evidence describing sleep-depression associations across diverse populations, ranging from Brazilian cross-sectional analyses revealing significant sleep quality issues [8] to Indonesian studies demonstrating a considerable prevalence of both conditions [9], a critical knowledge gap persists regarding the contextual manifestation of these relationships within geographically and culturally distinct settings. The impact of these conditions transcends individual health outcomes to affect broader societal functioning through decreased academic performance [10,11], increased occupational stress [12], and compromised quality of life [13]. Additionally, chronic sleep disruptions correlate with elevated risks for physical health complications including hypertension, metabolic disorders [14,15], and T2DM, further amplifying their public health significance. ...
... The PHQ-9 consists of nine items scored on a four-point Likert scale (0-3), with total scores ranging from 0 to 27. Depression severity was categorized as minimal (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), moderately severe (15)(16)(17)(18)(19), and severe (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27). PHQ-9 was selected as the primary depression assessment instrument due to its superior psychometric properties, demonstrated cross-cultural validity, and pragmatic implementation advantages. ...
... The impact of sleep quality on daily functioning revealed in our study aligns with the findings of Killgore 2020), who reported similar age-related patterns among healthcare professionals [10,12]. This age-related pattern is particularly interesting when considered alongside the findings of Cates et al. (2015) and Giri et al. (2013), who documented similar vulnerabilities among young adult populations, specifically medical and pharmacy students [11,24]. ...
... Consequently, poor sleep quality was significantly associated with elevated stress levels (Alotaibi et al., 2020). Nursing students frequently experience academic stress because they need to study large amounts of content quickly, compete for marks, have inadequate time for assignment submission, and have excessive examinations (Labrague et al., 2018;Pascoe et al., 2020). ...
... In a qualitative interview design study conducted at a governmental university, the sources of stress experienced by nursing students were categorized as follows: clinical learning context, discrimination against nurses, interpersonal relationships, and social challenges (Alyousef, 2019). Furthermore, stress is more widespread among women than men (Alotaibi et al., 2020). According to a systematic review results, Saudi student nurses suffered from moderate to high levels of stress due to heavy workloads and taking care of patients (Labrague et al., 2018). ...
Article
Full-text available
Plain language summary This descriptive correlational study aimed to investigate the perceived stress levels and coping strategies among nursing students in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study utilized a self-administered questionnaire comprising personal data, a perceived stress scale, and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (COPE). Main Findings: The study found that stress levels were higher among younger students in lower academic years who perceived lower grades. Perceived stress had a significant inverse correlation with problem-focused coping strategies, including active coping, instrumental support use, positive reframing, and planning in the Brief COPE inventory. Conclusion and Implications: The results indicate the need for targeted interventions to help nursing students manage their stress and maintain their academic standing. Addressing stress among nursing students is crucial, as it may lead to various health issues. Identifying sources of stress and implementing effective stress management strategies is essential. While the study sheds light on coping patterns related to perceived stress in Saudi Arabia, it is important to note that the results may not be generalized to the larger population due to the convenience sample and the exclusion of other influential factors. Recommendation for Future Research: Future research should consider conducting a longitudinal study following nursing students from enrollment to graduation to explore how coping strategies mediate stress and academic performance over time.
... Specifically, nine studies confirmed this connection, highlighting that increased academic pressure correlates with higher levels of insomnia. On the other hand, six studies, such as those by Alotaibi et al. (2020) and Bodys-Cupak et al. (2022), either found no significant relationship or suggested that other factors moderated the link between stress and sleep disturbances. For more detailed insights, including individual study objectives, methods, and results, please refer to Table 1, which outlines the findings from the analyzed literature. ...
... While many studies found a significant relationship between academic stress and insomnia, some reported differing results. Alotaibi et al. (2020) and Bodys-Cupak et al. (2022) did not find a direct correlation between academic stress and insomnia. However, they suggested that factors such as coping mechanisms, social support, and sleep habits might mitigate the impact of stress on sleep quality. ...
Article
Full-text available
Academic stress is a significant issue university students face, often arising from academic pressures such as deadlines, exams, and high expectations. These pressures disrupt mental and physical balance, leading to issues like insomnia, which can negatively impact students' health and academic performance. This study examines the relationship between academic stress levels and insomnia among university students, seeking to provide insights and practical recommendations for managing stress and improving sleep quality. A comprehensive review of 15 studies was conducted to analyze the connection between academic stress and insomnia. The research focused on various contributing factors, including academic workloads, social support, and environmental influences such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings indicate a significant relationship between academic stress and insomnia. Heavy academic workloads, tight exam schedules, and high faculty and parent expectations contributed significantly. Additionally, factors such as depression, anxiety, poor sleep hygiene, excessive digital device use, and unsupportive family dynamics were found to exacerbate sleep disturbances. The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified academic stress, leading to worsened sleep quality. While some studies found no direct correlation, they suggested that coping mechanisms, social support, and sleep habits might mitigate the impact of stress on sleep. Academic stress contributes significantly to insomnia among university students, affecting their quality of life and academic performance. Key triggers include heavy workloads, exams, and high expectations, worsened by poor sleep habits and technology dependence. The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified these issues. Interventions in stress management, sleep habits, and mental health support are essential, with further research needed to explore the role of social support in reducing insomnia.
... Research has shown that sleep increases working memory capacity and memory consolidation. A meta-analysis of seventy studies concluded that acute sleep deprivation negatively impacts cognitive domains, including simple and complex attention, working memory, and short-term memory (Alotaibi et al., 2020). ...
Article
Full-text available
Adequate sleep is vital for individuals. Many factors affect sleep quality. Some of these factors are expressed as depression, anxiety, and stress. The impact of depression, anxiety, and stress on sleep quality is an important issue that needs to be revealed. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of psychological adaptation skills of Ataturk University and Erzurum Technical University sports sciences faculty students on sleep quality. A total of 358 students, 119 female and 239 male, studying at sports science faculties constitute the sample group. Three parts were used in the data collection process: demographic information form, sleep quality scale, and DAS-21 scale. The relational screening model was used in the research. Findings show that as participants' depression, anxiety, and stress levels increase, their sleep quality scores also increase. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used in the study. As a result of the correlation and multiple regression analysis, it is seen that psychological adaptation skills positively predict sleep quality. As participants' sleep quality levels increase, their psychological adaptation skills increase.
... The primary finding that students in highly stressful majors face worse sleep quality highlights the role of academic demands as a key factor [7]. Medical and business students, for example, experience significant pressure from academic workload and future career prospects, which exacerbates stress and contributes to insomnia. ...
Article
Sleep quality is a critical aspect of human health, and it lays the foundation for all human activities. The quality of sleep not only affects the speed of thinking, and the rigor of calculation but also affects the activity of the body. This study is based on the factors that affect the sleep quality of college students globally, specifically by adding different physiological factors to psychological factors which contain the most common factors when researching students’ sleeping quality, for example, level of pressure. The physiological factors include geographical region, major, and so on. This study collected different experimental data globally to investigate whether geographical region and major have an impact on students’ sleep and what kind of impact it has. Results indicate notable differences in sleep quality, with medical students and those in certain geographic regions experiencing higher rates of sleep disturbances. The findings underscore the need for tailored support systems that consider academic pressures and regional contexts to improve student well-being.
... For young adults, particularly university students, HL is essential as they transition to independent living, encountering new health challenges and heightened personal responsibility for health maintenance [8]. Additionally, university students represent a unique demographic that faces lifestyle changes, academic pressures, and diverse health information sources, all of which influence their HL [9,10]. Prior studies suggest that students' HL is shaped by a range of factors, including sociodemographic characteristics, academic background, cultural context, and lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary habits, and physical activity. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background Health literacy (HL) in Thailand remains a significant issue, with a large portion of the population demonstrating limited HL, and limited research exists on specific determinants among Thai university students. Some culture shapes health decision-making and HL disparities within this group, highlighting the need to evaluate HL comprehensively. This study aims to assess and compare HL levels among health science and non-health science students, and identify key predictors associated with HL. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,647 Thai university students, comprising 676 health science and 971 non-health science students, recruited through multi-stage stratified random sampling. Data were collected using validated questionnaires that measured sociodemographic characteristics, academic background, lifestyle behaviors, and HL levels across three sub-domains, including healthcare, disease prevention, and health promotion. Statistical analyses included univariable and multivariable regression models, with significance set at p-value < 0.05. Results Health sciences students demonstrated significantly higher HL scores across all sub-domains compared to non-health sciences students. Limited HL was found in 12.6% for health science students, and 28.4% for non-health science students. Key predictors of overall HL included gender, income, faculty of study, and lifestyle-related health behaviors. Female students showed higher total HL (β = 1.41; 95% CI: 0.62, 2.21), as did those with higher income (β = 1.28; 95% CI: 0.76, 1.80). Students enrolled in health sciences programs had higher HL scores (β = 2.86; 95% CI: 2.07, 3.64). Lifestyle behaviors also correlated with HL, with non-smoking (β = -0.58; 95% CI: -1.03, -0.13), no alcohol consumption (β = -0.45, 95%CI: -0.89, -0.01), and regular physical activity (β = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.66). Consumption of sweet foods/drinks was inversely related to HL scores (β = -0.87; 95% CI: -1.49, -0.26). Conclusions HL among Thai university students varies significantly by sociodemographic factors, academic background, and lifestyle behaviors. Health sciences students exhibited stronger HL skills, underscoring the importance of integrating health education into non-health sciences curricula. Targeted HL interventions are recommended for non-health sciences students, males, and individuals from lower-income backgrounds to enhance health decision-making and reduce HL disparities. These findings have implications for policy and practice, emphasizing the integration of HL modules into university curricula, health promotion campaigns, and the provision of accessible health services to foster an inclusive and health-literate student population.
... The study conducted statistical analysis and found that sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and stress did not significantly impact students' GPA. Additionally, another study found no significant relationship between sleep quality and academic performance among medical students [29,34]. ...
Article
Full-text available
Exploring the multifaceted impact of academic, environmental, and psychosocial stressors on students' overall mental well-being is necessary, identifying key areas for intervention and support. Objectives: To see the prevalence of different stressors in medical students. Also, to assess their mental well-being and the correlation of different stressors with it. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study in a private medical college was done from July 2024 to December 2024. A questionnaire was developed through Google Forms and distributed through social media platforms, and quota non-purposive sampling was done. Stressors were assessed through the Likert scale, and mental well-being through the Kessler scale. Chi-square and independent sample T-tests were employed. P-value <0.05 was taken as signicant. Results: Mildtomoderateeffectsofacademic,environmental,andpsychosocialstressorswere observed. Mostly, students were having severe mental distress, and an equal percentage were likely to be well. A moderate positive correlation between mental well-being and stressors was observedwithsignicantp-valuesbetweenmentalwell-beingandacademicstressors (r=0.497, p=<0.001), environmental stressors (r=0.432, p=<0.001), and psychosocial stressors (r=0.489, p=<0.001); depicting increased distress were associated with higher prevalence of stressors among participants. Conclusions: It was concluded that female, and students of nal year MBBS were having more mental distress. Stressors were having a mild to moderate effect on participants. Establishing an academic culture that provides a haven for all, normalizes seeking help, and promotes collaboration over competition would go a long way toward alleviating some of the stressors that medical students face.
Article
Full-text available
Background: Twitter and WhatsApp may have the potential to negatively affect quality of sleep. Aim of Study: To assess the impact of using social media (i.e., Twitter and WhatsApp) on sleep quality and to identify risk factors associated with poor sleep quality among medical students in King Khalid University (KKU). Methodology: Following a cross - sectional design, 286 medical students at King Khalid College of Medicine, Abha, Saudi Arabia, were recruited into this study. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire has been designed by the researchers which included sociodemographic data, extent of using the WhatsApp and/or Twitter and the Pittsburgh sleep Quality Index. Results: 76.2% of students use both Twitter and WhatsApp, 21.5% use WhatsApp only, 1% use Twitter only, while 1% do not use any. Most medical students (89.8%) use Twitter/WhatsApp every day. Most medical students use Twitter/WhatsApp for 3-4 or more than 5 hours daily (31.1% for both). Most medical students (88.7%) use Twitter/WhatsApp during night. 29.7% of medical students have poor quality of sleep. Twitter/WhatsApp use was significantly more among female than male medical students (81.7% and 73.1%, respectively, p=0.014). Use of Twitter/WhatsApp by medical students differed significantly according to their scholastic year (p=0.014), with highest use among 6th year medical students (94.1%). Medical students' quality of sleep differed significantly according to their scholastic year (p=0.02), with highest prevalence of poor quality among those at their 2nd and 6th scholastic years (37.7%) and 37.3%, respectively). Quality of sleep differed significantly according to students' daily use of Twitter/WhatsApp (p=0.022), with highest prevalence of poor sleep quality among those who spend more than 4 hours daily using Twitter/WhatsApp. Conclusions: The majority of medical students in KKU, especially females and final year students, use Twitter and/or WhatsApp. Almost one third of students have poor sleep quality, especially 2nd and final year medical students and those who use social media for more than two hours daily. This study indicates a strong need for integrating sleep hygiene education for medical students and to provide health education to promote correct and effective use of social networks.
Article
Full-text available
The association of irregular sleep schedules with circadian timing and academic performance has not been systematically examined. We studied 61 undergraduates for 30 days using sleep diaries, and quantified sleep regularity using a novel metric, the sleep regularity index (SRI). In the most and least regular quintiles, circadian phase and light exposure were assessed using salivary dim-light melatonin onset (DLMO) and wrist-worn photometry, respectively. DLMO occurred later (00:08 ± 1:54 vs. 21:32 ± 1:48; p < 0.003); the daily sleep propensity rhythm peaked later (06:33 ± 0:19 vs. 04:45 ± 0:11; p < 0.005); and light rhythms had lower amplitude (102 ± 19 lux vs. 179 ± 29 lux; p < 0.005) in Irregular compared to Regular sleepers. A mathematical model of the circadian pacemaker and its response to light was used to demonstrate that Irregular vs. Regular group differences in circadian timing were likely primarily due to their different patterns of light exposure. A positive correlation (r = 0.37; p < 0.004) between academic performance and SRI was observed. These findings show that irregular sleep and light exposure patterns in college students are associated with delayed circadian rhythms and lower academic performance. Moreover, the modeling results reveal that light-based interventions may be therapeutically effective in improving sleep regularity in this population.
Article
Full-text available
Introduction: Medical students tend to reduce their sleep, in an effort to adjust and cope with their workload and stressful environment. This study estimated the prevalence of and the relationship between poor sleep quality and stress among medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a stratified random sample of male and female medical students in King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to assess sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the stress level by using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Results: A high prevalence of poor sleep quality (76%) and stress (53%) were found, with a statistically significant association (p
Article
Full-text available
The study aimed to examine the prevalence of daytime sleepiness among medical students and to explore its relationship with academic performance. A total of 161 consenting Saudi male medical students aged 18 and above participated in this cross-sectional survey done in Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University in Alkharj, Saudi Arabia. All subjects answered a generalized questionnaire that was piloted and included information on demographics and Epworth-sleepiness scale (ESS). Excessive daytime sleepiness was observed in 37.8% of the subjects. Only 22 (13.7%) of the subjects had less than 4 hours of sleep while majority (70.8%) fell within 4-8 hours. Comparison between subjects with normal sleep versus those with excessive daytime sleepiness revealed no significant differences, including GPA scores. Excessive daytime sleepiness is common among Saudi male medical students and this does not seem to influence GPA scores. Prospective studies are needed to validate the present findings.
Article
Full-text available
Objectives: To determine sleep habits and sleep quality in medical students during their clinical years using validated measures; and to investigate associations with academic performance and psychological stress. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, medical students (n=320) were randomly selected from a list of all enrolled clinical-year students in a Saudi medical school from 2011-2012. Students filled a questionnaire including demographic and lifestyle factors, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Perceived Stress Scale. Results: Students acquired on average, 5.8 hours of sleep each night, with an average bedtime at 01:53. Approximately 8% reported acquiring sleep during the day, and not during nighttime. Poor sleep quality was present in 30%, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in 40%, and insomnia symptoms in 33% of students. Multivariable regression models revealed significant associations between stress, poor sleep quality, and EDS. Poorer academic performance and stress were associated with symptoms of insomnia. Conclusion: Sleep deprivation, poor sleep quality, and EDS are common among clinical years medical students. High levels of stress and the pressure of maintaining grade point averages may be influencing their quality of sleep.
Article
Background: Sleep problems and poor sleep quality are important issues for medical students. This study aimed to investigate the sleep patterns, measure the prevalence of poor sleep quality, and identify the predictors of poor sleep among medical students in King Khalid University (KKU), Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 318 medical students during October-November, 2015. Participants were selected by convenience sampling and data were collected using self-administered questionnaires to obtain information regarding socio-demographic variables and indicators of sleep quality. Results: The overall mean sleep quality score was 6.79 with a standard deviation of 3.06. Poor sleep quality was reported by 74.2% students. Significantly high mean sleep quality scores (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were observed for students with very poor subjective sleep quality (mean = 10.50, SD = 2.58), least sleep efficiency (mean = 11.21, SD = 2.23), shorter sleep duration (mean = 7.83, SD = 2.88), sleep onset latency more than 30 minutes (mean = 7.82, SD = 2.53), sleeping after midnight (mean = 7.53, SD = 2.95), and use of sleep aiding medication (mean = 8.78, SD = 3.5). Significant differences were observed between good sleepers and poor sleepers regarding these sleep characteristics. Poor sleep was predicted by sleep behaviours such as going to sleep after midnight (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.20, 3.94) and sleep duration of less than seven hours (AOR = 7.49, 95% CI: 4.24, 13.22). Conclusion: Medical students of KKU have poor sleep quality. Longer sleep latency, going to sleep after midnight, and shorter sleep duration are important problems in this group.
Book
Clinical practice related to sleep problems and sleep disorders has been expanding rapidly in the last few years, but scientific research is not keeping pace. Sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome are three examples of very common disorders for which we have little biological information. This new book cuts across a variety of medical disciplines such as neurology, pulmonology, pediatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, psychology, otolaryngology, and nursing, as well as other medical practices with an interest in the management of sleep pathology. This area of research is not limited to very young and old patients-sleep disorders reach across all ages and ethnicities. Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation presents a structured analysis that explores the following: Improving awareness among the general public and health care professionals. Increasing investment in interdisciplinary somnology and sleep medicine research training and mentoring activities. Validating and developing new and existing technologies for diagnosis and treatment. This book will be of interest to those looking to learn more about the enormous public health burden of sleep disorders and sleep deprivation and the strikingly limited capacity of the health care enterprise to identify and treat the majority of individuals suffering from sleep problems. © 2006 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.