Sleep Disorders Among Undergraduate Health Students in Bristol, United Kingdom

Abstract

Daytime Sleepiness and poor sleep quality are common among medical students. The objective of study is to determine the prevalence of daytime sleepiness and sleep quality and associated risk factors among medical students in medical college, in Bristol, United Kingdom. It was a cross-sectional study and 153 medical students were selected through stratified random sampling techniques. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess the sleep pattern and Epworth Sleepiness Scale was used to measure daytime sleepiness. Association of sleep quality and daytime sleepiness and its risk factors were determined through regression analysis. Students suffering from severe disorder of sleep quality was 21.6% and severe daytime sleepiness 3.9%. In multivariate analysis after adjustment of covariates, in daytime sleepiness, male gender (OR.1.33, CI 1.06-3.04) [p-value 0.040] and those students who smoke cigarettes [OR 4.65, (CI 1.48-5.14) [p-value 0.018] were more likely associated with severe daytime sleepiness disorder. In Sleep quality disorder, those students who had low academic score [OR 3.13(CI 1.28-4.87) [p-value 0.035] and those students who smoke cigarettes [OR 3.04 (CI 2.34-4.29) [p-value 0.010] were more than likely associated with severe sleep quality disorder. Majority of students suffered from poor sleep quality and day time sleepiness. Male gender, smoking, academic score and academic years was the major predictor for poor sleep quality and day time sleepiness. There is need for awareness and counselling among student for reduced the sleep disorder burden.