Sleep Quality among Medical Students at King Abdulaziz University: A Cross-sectional Study

Poor sleep quality and Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) can affect the performance of medical students, their future work as practitioners, and the whole health care system. The study was done to determine the prevalence and predictors of poor sleep quality among medical students in King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was done among 576 medical students who were selected through multi-stage stratified random sample. A standardized, confidential, self-administered data collection sheet was utilized. Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were utilized. Descriptive, inferential statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis were done. Results revealed that prevalence of poor sleep quality and EDS among medical students were 70.4% and 37.3%, respectively. Poor sleep quality was associated with students’ gender, age, high-Grade Point Average (GPA), anxiety, depression, EDS and drinking caffeinated beverages. Students with poor sleep quality had low ability to attend educational sessions. After controlling confounding, the first predictor of poor sleep quality was having anxiety. Those with morbid anxiety were about 4 times more liable to have poor sleep quality compared to others (aOR=3.92; 95% CI: 2.46-6.24). The second predictor of poor sleeping was enrollment in the basic academic years. It is concluded that poor sleep quality was prevalent among medical students in KAU. Anxiety and enrollment in basic-years were the predictors. Screening programs for sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression among medical students are required. Sleep educational programs, stress management courses and lifestyles modifications are recommended.