IJCM_388A: Sleep disturbances and associated factors among undergraduate medical students in a tertiary health care center in central India: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Within the rigorous environment of medical education, the well-being of students is a critical concern. Sleep disturbances, a prevalent yet understudied issue, may pose significant challenges to the academics and mental health of medical students. Objective: To assess the sleep disturbances and associated factors among undergraduate medical students in a tertiary health care center. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 256 undergraduate medical students in a tertiary health care center from September to November 2023. Study was conducted using self-administered questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic profile and standardized tool Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used. Results: Out of 256 students,161(62.9%) were suffering from sleep disturbances.72% of them had less than 1 hour time gap between screen time and their regular sleep. There was a significant association between sleep disturbances and repeated worrying about lots of tests, illness during past month, felt isolated and feeling lost something in life. Conclusion: This study showed that majority of undergraduate medical students suffer from sleep disturbances. It becomes evident that fostering a supportive environment and promoting healthy sleep practices are indispensable for the overall wellbeing and success of medical students.