Sleep Quality Among Medical Students and Healthcare Professionals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
Keywords:
COVID-19, Healthcare workers, Insomnia, Medical students, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Sleep qualityAbstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented stressors for healthcare workers and medical trainees, potentially disrupting sleep. This study assessed sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) among medical students and healthcare professionals during the early pandemic and identified demographic predictors of poor sleep.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey enrolled 78 participants, including 70 first year MBBS students and eight faculty/medical officers. The PSQI assessed seven sleep components and a global score >5 was taken as poor sleep. Statistical analyses included t tests, Pearson correlations, and linear/logistic regression.
Results: Mean global PSQI score was 6.33±2.84, with 61.5% classified as poor sleepers. Most impaired components: sleep latency (1.33±0.87), daytime dysfunction (1.15±0.84), and subjective sleep quality (1.21±0.64). Sleep medication use was minimal (0.15±0.46). No significant sex differences emerged. Faculty showed non-significantly worse sleep efficiency and disturbances. Age correlated negligibly with global PSQI (r=0.07). Regression models explained no variance in sleep quality; faculty had an elevated but not significant odds ratio for poor sleep (OR=2.35, 95% CI: 0.44–12.67). Most frequent disturbances: difficulty falling asleep (42% ≥1/week), nocturnal awakenings (38%), and bathroom trips (31%).
Conclusions: Poor sleep quality was highly prevalent (62% exceeding clinical threshold) among medical students and healthcare professionals during early COVID 19, with sleep onset difficulties and daytime dysfunction predominating. Demographic factors did not predict sleep quality, suggesting widespread impact. Targeted sleep health interventions for medical trainees and workers during public health crises are urgently needed.
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