Analysis of Sleep Quality in Medical University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Much attention has been paid to the problem of sleep disorders in young people recently. Medical university students are at higher risk for sleep disturbances potentially leading to decreased attention, poor personal well-being and academic performance, since their schoolwork pressure is higher than that of students of other universities. Objective: To study the prevalence of sleep disorders among medical university students. Materials and methods: In fall 2022, we conducted an anonymous questionnaire-based survey of 680 students of the Smolensk State Medical University using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess the quality of sleep and sleep disorders in the randomly selected representative sample. Statistical data analysis was carried out in Microsoft Excel. Results: Poor sleep quality was established in 75.9 % of the medical students surveyed. The mean sleep duration was estimated to be 6 hours and 12 minutes. Maximum disorders were found in the subjective assessment of sleep quality in 3.5 % of the respondents; in sleep delay – in 3.1 %; in sleep duration – in 7.2 %; in sleep efficiency – in 1.5 %; in the use of sleeping medication – in 5.3 %; and in daytime dysfunction – in 17.4 % of the examined. We observed poor sleep quality in all the subjects but noted that sleep disorders were more common in the second and third-year students. Conclusions: Sleep disorders in student youth include problems with the quality, schedule and duration of sleep and daytime dysfunction. They are more frequent in junior students. Female students are at higher risk. Awareness of sleep disturbances students are experiencing and appropriate preventive measures can help maintain not only high academic performance, but also physical and mental health.