Relationship Between Sleep Duration and Academic Performance Among Saudi Medical Students at ''KSAU-HS'' and KSU Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify the sleep patterns and frequency of nighttime sleep among male and female medical students in KSAU-HS and KSU and to assess the association between sleep duration and academic performance (final GPA). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire targeting medical students from KSAU-HS and KSU, Riyadh. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) survey was used to assess sleep deprivation. Results: A total of 243 participants were included in the study. Most participants 187 (77%) were males, 171 (70.4%) were from KSAU-HS, 95 (39.1%) were 6th year students. The most frequently reported grade was B (27.6%) participants. Almost 87 (35.8%) had a GPA of 4-4.5. In regards to the components of PSQI; the mean global PSQI score was found to be 9.30±3.64. The vast majority (95.1%) had poor sleep quality. Sleep efficiency was found to be less than 65% for the vast majority (98.4%) of the participants. Academic performance was found to be significantly associated with sleep duration. University and academic year were found to be significantly associated with sleep quality (p-value= 0.02 and 0.003 respectively). Participants from KSAU-HS University and 6th year students had better sleep quality. Conclusion: Poor PSQI scores and sleep quality among study participants were found. The sleep duration score was low as compared to that in parallel studies. Poor academic performance was significantly associated with poor sleep quality according to PSQI scores.