Poor Sleep Quality and Daytime Sleepiness in Health Professionals: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the prevalence rates of poor quality sleep and daytime sleepiness in health professionals and their association with socioeconomic, lifestyle, and anthropometric factors and psychosocial work conditions. This cross-sectional study was performed with health professionals from various public and private hospitals in Rio Verde, Goiás, Brazil. Daytime sleepiness and sleep quality were assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, respectively. The variables were analyzed using multiple hierarchical Poisson regression in the statistical package Stata version 13.0. A total of 244 health professionals participated in this study (women, 78.28%). The rates of abnormal daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality were 50.41% (n = 123) and 55.74% (n = 136), respectively. Reduced physical activity was associated with poor sleep quality (prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.70, p = 0.035). Age between 20 and 29 years (PR = 2.59; 95% CI 1.37–4.91, p = 0.021) and 30 and 49 years (PR = 2.09; 95% CI 1.12–3.91, p = 0.021), as well as excessive alcohol consumption (PR = 1.29; 95% CI 1.01–1.66, p = 0.048), were risk factors for daytime sleepiness. Conversely, adequate bodyweight (PR = 0.52; 95% CI 0.33–0.82, p = 0.005) was considered a protective factor. The present findings suggest high rates of abnormal daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality among healthcare professionals. We emphasize the importance of physical activity, adequate weight, and healthy habits for better quality sleep and reduced daytime sleepiness.