Prevalence Of Poor Sleep Quality Research Articles

Sleep Disruption and Its Impact on Academic Performance in Medical Students: A Systematic Review

Medical students are prone to sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality. Insomnia and stress are commonly the cause of lack of sleep among students. This systematic review aimed to assess sleep quality that affects the academic performance among medical students by determining the components that help in identifying sleep quality in medical students, to identify how sleep quality affects the academic performance of medical students and determines the factors that cause sleep deprivation in medical students. We conducted a comprehensive screening through various database sources to extract data about the prevalence of poor sleep quality among medical students and its impact on students' academic performance. Findings of the studies showed that the academic performance was significantly affected by sleep deprivation among the medical students and there was a significant correlation between sleep quality, academic performance and the factors affecting sleep quality. These findings calling for immediate attention in order to improve the students sleep quality as poor sleep quality is significantly correlated to their low academic performance. One study showed no significant difference between sleep and academic performance of students but sleep quality is significantly associated with elevated levels of stress. However, longitudinal study is needed to conclude for more certainty.

Sleep quality among teachers of an educational institution during the COVID-19 health emergency, Peru, 2021

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic affected the quality of life of the population worldwide. The countries took several protective measures to avoid contagion, including social isolation, teleworking and distance education. As schools closed, teachers took over primarily online teaching. The study main objective was to determine the sleep quality among teachers of a public educational institution in the district of Máncora, Peru, during the COVID-19 pandemic social isolation. Materials and methods: An observational, cross sectional and prospective study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess 59 preschool, primary and secondary school teachers who taught through distance education from March to December 2021.Results: The average age was 44.3 ± 8.89 years. Women accounted for 64.4 %, specialist teachers—i.e., those who have expertise in a particular field—55.9 %, secondary school teachers 55.9 %, primary school teachers 30.5 % and preschool teachers 13.6 %. The affected sleep quality parameters were the following: 69.5 % had poor sleep quality, 67.8 % inadequate sleep latency, 61 % sleep duration of less than five hours, 27.1 % habitual sleep efficiency of less than 65 % and49.2 % sleep disturbances. Moreover, 50.8 % reported using a sleeping medication more than once a week and 39 % severe daytime dysfunction. There was an association between sleep quality and the components subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency and daytime dysfunction. Nonetheless, there was no association with sex, educational level and teaching specialty. Conclusions: Teachers of an educational institution in Máncora had a high prevalence of poor sleep quality and the most affected components were sleep latency, daytime dysfunction and sleep disturbances.

Do University Students Have a Good Quality of Sleep?: An Exploratory Study

Background: Sleep is an important factor in activity and achievement. This study aims to examine the quality of sleep among university students in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
 Methods: An online survey method was used. The sample size was (636) (46.23% female N=294, 36.64% N= 233 Yemeni students and 63.36% N=403 Saudi students). Participants responded to Arabic version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Sleep Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
 Results: The prevalence of poor sleep quality among university students was (25.63%) and sleep difficulties was (25%). A total of 23.60% of Yemeni students had poor sleep quality and 27.90% had sleep difficulties. While, 26.79% of Saudi students had poor sleep quality and 23.32% had sleep difficulties. There were no significant differences between students of two countries in sleep quality or sleep difficulties. Quality of Sleep and Sleep difficulties were significantly correlated with academic performance in the overall sample and in the group of Saudi students.
 Conclusions: The prevalence of poor sleep quality and sleep difficulties is high among university students, which may negatively affect their academic performance. There is an urgent need for psychological intervention, as well as a need for more research in this field.

Determinants of Sleep Quality: A Cross-Sectional Study in University Students.

When entering the university setting, poor sleep quality is reportedly prevalent among students and has been linked to a range of adverse health outcomes, including reduced academic performance. Moreover, determinants of sleep quality are not yet fully understood. This study was designed to (1) assess the prevalence of poor sleep quality and (2) identify determinants of sleep quality in German university students. In total, 1,684 undergraduate and graduate students (50.6% female, mean age 22.87 ± 3.15 years) from multiple academic disciplines completed a cross-sectional online survey assessing socio-demographic, health, and study-related indicators and sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In our sample, 820 (48.7%) met the PSQI cut-off score (>5) for poor sleep quality. Multiple regression analysis showed that older age, being a business student, lower subjective social status, poorer self-rated health, stress, exhaustion, and poor academic performance significantly predicted poor sleep quality. Our findings document a high prevalence of poor sleep quality among university students and suggest that business students, especially, might be exposed to a greater risk for poor sleep quality. Furthermore, the results of this study are valuable for academic staff to develop tailored interventions to promote healthy sleep-in university students.

Sleep quality and sleep patterns among recovered individuals during post-COVID-19 among Jordanian: A cross-sectional national study.

This study aims to investigate sleep patterns and quality in patients who had SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection and to determine the sleep quality and pattern among patients. A cross-sectional design was used to assess sleeping patterns during the post-COVID-19 era for recovered individuals from April 1st, 2022, to June 1st, 2022. The participants had to meet the following requirements: both genders, ages 18 to 70, and previously infected with COVID-19. The prevalence of low sleep quality among the recovered individuals during post-COVID-19 era was 834 (40.6%), and the prevalence of disturbance in sleep quality was 1308 (63.6%). Lower economic status and younger ages in twenties and thirties experienced more disturbances in sleep patterns than other older ages. Many predictors were determined the quality of sleep. These predictors were age (B = .105, P = .00), income (B = .05, P = .035) and educational level (B = .20, P = .006). To sum up, our study found that the prevalence of low sleep quality among the recovered individuals during post-COVID-19 era was moderate, and the prevalence of disturbance in sleep quality was high. The predictors of quality of sleep were age, income, and educational level. Practitioners should be trained to evaluate and manage sleep disturbances, as this comprehensive approach has the potential to reduce mental distress and prevent the consequences of sleep disturbances.

Impact of Covid-19 lockdown on sleep quality, physical activity, and body weight among university students: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Covid-19 lockdown had caused lifestyle changes especially in sleep, physical activity, and body weight. Thus, this study aimed to determine the weight changes before and after the lockdown period and further assessed the association between sleep quality, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI). This was a retrospective cross-sectional study involving 107 undergraduate students in Universiti Sains Malaysia. Subjects recalled information during the first lockdown implemented in Malaysia from early March 2020 to July 2020. The questionnaire consisted of socio-demography, anthropometry, and physical activity using International Physical Activity Questionnaire and sleep quality using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Chi-square analysis was used to determine the association between the variables using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 26.0. There was a significant increase of 1.8 kg in weight before and after the lockdown period. The majority of respondents had poor sleep quality (80.4%) and low physical activity (60.2%), respectively. Almost 29% of the subjects had sleep latency of more than 30 min while 69.1% of them had sleep duration of <7 h. There was no significant association between sleep quality and BMI as well as physical activity and BMI. Our study demonstrated that the prevalence of poor sleep quality and low physical activity among university students was high during Covid-19 confinement. Moreover, youths have a significant increase in body weight during the lockdown period. Thus, university students may adopt exciting leisure activities to keep themselves active such as doing meditation or joining online exercise classes.

Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on sleep quality of frontline healthcare workers

Background: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, which was brought on by the SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus, has had a significant negative influence on our environment and exposed health-care personnel to a new level of risk. Very few studies have addressed the disturbances in the sleep quality of healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic. Aim and Objectives: The primary objective of the study was to examine the sleep quality of frontline healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary care center in northern Kerala. Materials and Methods: Healthcare workers belonging to a tertiary care center were invited to participate in the study. An online questionnaire including sociodemographics, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, and Insomnia severity index was used to evaluate sleep disturbances in healthcare workers. Univariate and bivariate analysis of the results were done to identify the predictors of poor sleep quality. Results: A total of 250 frontline healthcare workers were enrolled in the study, out of which 243 participants provided usable responses. About 27.6% of health workers showed features of poor sleep quality. The prevalence rate of poor sleep quality was highest among nurses, 55.2% followed by doctors and ambulance drivers, 22.4% and 11.9%, respectively. About 17.7% of the study population had subthreshold insomnia and 1.2% had clinical insomnia of moderate intensity. Conclusion: The prevalence of poor sleep quality is high among healthcare workers confronting COVID pandemic. This study emphasizes the need to implement specific protective measures for maintaining the sleep quality and decreasing stress among frontline health care workers during pandemics.

Investigating the relationship of sleep quality and psychological factors among Health Professions students

BackgroundQuality sleep is critically imperative for facilitating learning and academic achievement among university students. Students are subject to several potential stressors during their academic journey which can pose far-reaching implications for their psychological well-being. A very limited number of studies have evaluated the association of sleep problems and psychological factors in health professions students. This research aimed at exploring relationship between sleep quality and psychological factors among Health Professions students. It is equally important to know the prevalence of such conditions so that necessary intervention could be set in place. MethodologyA cross-sectional descriptive research was conducted. The study targeted a group of 450 conveniently sampled health professions students at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) to collect data pertinent to the research study. Five self-report questionnaires were utilized, including: sociodemographic and education background questionnaire (e.g., age, gender, marital status, college), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Patient Depression Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). ResultsThe prevalence of poor sleep quality (PSQI score > 5) among students was 69.6% (n = 313). PSQI components with showed most disturbances included subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep disturbance and daytime dysfunction. Findings showed that 38.9% (n = 175) of the participants were depressed, 56.7% (n = 255) of students had severe stress, and 33.1% (n = 149) had mild to moderate and severe levels of anxiety. Additionally, there were statistically significant associations between sleep quality, depression, stress and anxiety (at p < 0.01). ConclusionThe findings of the present study establish a correlation between depression, stress, anxiety and sleep quality. Academic institutions should develop interventional program directed toward managing students’ academic related sleep and psychological concerns.

Sleep Quality and Associated Factors Among Adult Cancer Patients on Treatments at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital Oncology Unit, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2021.

Patients with cancer frequently reported sleep problems during their treatments which can affect their sleep quality have an impact on patients' quality of life (QOL). to assess the prevalence of sleep quality and associated factors in adult cancer patients on treatment in the Oncology unit of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2021. institutional-based cross-sectional study design was used and data was collected by using face-to-face structured interview questionnaires from March 1 to April 1, 2021. Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) consisted of 19 items, the social support scale (OSS-3) consisted of 3 items, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) consisted of 14 items were applied. Logistic regression including bivariate and multivariate analysis was done to examine the association between dependent and independent variables, and P< 0.05 was considered the level of significance for associations. A total of 264 sampled adult cancer patients on treatments were included in this study, with a response rate of 93.61%. About 26.5% of the participants' age distribution was between 40 to 49 years, and 68.6% were female. 59.8% of the study participants were married. Concerning education, about 48.9% of participants attended primary and secondary school and 45% of participants were unemployed. Overall, 53.79% of individuals had poor sleep quality. Low income ((AOR=5.36 CI 95% (2.23, 12.90), fatigue (AOR=2.89 CI 95(1.32, 6.33), pain (AOR 3.82 C I95 % (1.84, 7.93), poor of social support (AOR =3.20 CI 95% (1.43, 6.74), anxiety (AOR=3.48 CI 95% (1.44, 8.38) and depression (AOR 2.87 CI 95 % (1.05-7.391) were all associated with poor sleep quality. This study revealed a high prevalence of poor sleep quality, which was significantly associated with factors like low income, fatigue, pain, poor social support, anxiety, and depression among cancer patients on treatments.

Assessment of Sleep Quality and Sleep Hygiene among Nursing officers during COVID pandemic in a Tertiary Care Hospital in a Southern District of Karnataka, India

Introduction: Nursing officers are one of the susceptible groups prone to have sleep disturbances, which maynot only influence their own health but also affect the nursing quality and treatment process. During COVIDPandemic, because of high work demand, nurses were made to run more shifts than regular days which can bequite stressful for them. Our study was conducted to assess the sleep quality and sleep hygiene among Nursingofficers during COVID pandemic andto determine the factors influencing the Sleep quality and Sleep HygieneMethods: A cross sectional study was conducted from September 2021- October 2021 among nursing officersof Kodagu district hospital attached to Kodagu Institute of Medical sciences. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Indexquestionnaire was used to assess the sleep quality, Epworth Sleepiness Scale was used to determine the presenceof tendency of daytime sleepiness and Sleep hygiene index was used to assess the sleep hygiene among therespondents.Results: Poor sleep quality was high(70.4%) among nursing officers. A significant association (p&lt;0.05) of poorsleep quality was found with 31-40 years age group, nuclear family, less than 10 years of work experience and&gt;15 nights shifts per month when logistic regression was applied. Poor sleep quality was high among the nursingofficers who were practicing poor sleep hygiene (79.16 %).The assessment of daytime sleepiness showed thatmajority of the nursing officers (94%) were unlikely to be abnormally sleepy.Conclusion: The prevalence of poor sleep quality was high among nurses which was done during COVIDpandemic. Poor sleep quality was associated age, type of family, years of work experience and nights shifts.Recruitment of adequate number of nursing staff and scrupulously planned night shifts are needed to improvethe sleep health and well being of nurses which sequentially will result in better and efficient patient care.

Sleep quality in patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory ailment with persistent airflow limitation associated with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response in airways and lungs to noxious particles or gases. This study aims to observe the sleep quality in these cases as it is known that most of them suffer from disturbed sleep. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the sleep quality in stable patients of COPD and compare with healthy controls. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was approved by ICMR and IEC and conducted in the department of Physiology and the Department of TB and Chest Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. In this study, 33 clinically stable COPD patients and 33 normal subjects as controls were included in the study. Then, a detailed history including the demographic characteristics was recorded. Then, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Questionnaire (Hindi version was obtained from MAPI organization) was recorded by direct interview before lung functions were assessed by Spirometry. Results: In his study, COPD was found predominantly in male subjects compared to females. Poor sleep was found in majority of COPD cases. The median global PSQI scores were much higher in COPD cases compared to controls and the difference between them was statistically highly significant (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: This study shows that the prevalence of poor sleep quality among COPD patients of urban Delhi is very high. Limitations are small sample size and hospital-based subjects and lack of polysomnography.

Sleep habits and quality among war and conflict-affected Palestinian adults in the Gaza strip

Objectives/backgroundSleep may be affected by traumatic experiences leading to an increased risk of poor quality of life and daily functioning. However, studies related to sleep habits and problems in conflict-affected areas are still sparse. The present study attended to describe sleep habits, estimate the prevalence rate of sleep disturbances, and identify associated factors in the Gaza strip. Patients/methodsA population-based cross-sectional study including 1458 Palestinian adults aged ≥18 years living in the Gaza strip was carried out during the period between 18 February and March 31, 2022. An electronic survey through the free-of-charge Google Forms tool was used for data collection. A range of self-report measures related to sleep, mood, and subjective quality of life were used: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the World Health Organisation-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9. ResultsThree out of five of participants (n = 882, 60.5%) were females and the mean age was 34.8 ± 12.77 years. More than one-third of participants (n = 556, 38.1%) had poor well-being as assessed by the WHO-5 and 108 (7.4%) had a PHQ-9 score ≥ 20 indicating severe depression. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 52.8% when defined as PSQI ≥ 6 and 30.5% when defined as PSQI ≥ 8. The prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), short sleep duration, severe depression, and poor well-being were 43.6%, 26.4%, 7.1%, and 38.1% respectively. Women and the youngest participants reached the highest prevalence rates for sleep and mood disturbance as well as for daytime dysfunction. Using multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, severe depression, being divorced, a history of psychological disease, poor well-being and previous war injuries were identified as the strongest predictors of poor sleep quality. ConclusionPoor sleep quality, EDS, severe depression, and poor well-being in our sample were strikingly increased. Females and the youngest participants were the most affected. The conflict-affected situation in the Gaza strip combined with the high population density and worsening socio-economic conditions may play an important role in sleep disturbances, mainly because of a high prevalence of mood disturbances. Sleep and mood disturbances also adversely affect the quality of life.

Prevalence of poor sleep quality and associated lifestyle habits: A cross-sectional study in community pharmacies

Introduction: Many lifestyle habits can negatively affect sleep quality (SQ) and lead to poor quality of life. This makes it important to determine the prevalence of poor SQ in the population and the lifestyle habits that may be associated with it, with a view to designing appropriate interventions for improving SQ. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of poor SQ among the population of Salamanca (Spain) and its relationship with specific lifestyle habits&#x0D; Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out between July and November 2019. SQ was studied in 261 patients using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the frequency with which patients performed a series of lifestyle habits was quantified. The association between variables was assessed using multivariate binary logistic regression.&#x0D; Results: Almost half of the study population (48.7%) was found to have poor SQ. Physical exercise was a protective factor against poor SQ (OR = 0.221; CI95%: 0.081-0.603). Risk factors for poor SQ included being disturbed at night (OR = 3.606; CI95%: 1.892-6.872), going to bed preoccupied (OR = 3.145; CI95%: 1.528-6.471), reading trivial material (OR = 2.475; CI95%: 1.208-5.070), and playing video games (OR = 3.639; CI95%: 1.326-9.984).&#x0D; Conclusions: In Salamanca (Spain), almost half of the study population stated that they suffered poor SQ. Although numerous lifestyle habits that may relate to poor SQ were studied, a statistically significant relationship was only found for a few of them.

Physical activity, sleep quality and life satisfaction in adolescents: A cross-sectional survey study.

Physical activity, sleep is an important component of adolescents' 24-h movement behavior, and life satisfaction predicts adolescent physical and mental health. However, few studies have explored the relationship between the two variables among Chinese high school students. Consequently, this study aimed to explore the relationship between sleep quality and life satisfaction among Chinese high school students. This cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2020 in five high schools in Xuchang City, China. High school students from senior 1 to senior 3 were asked to fill up a questionnaire of demographic characteristics and validated screen instructions for sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale). The multivariate regression model was applied to explore the association between sleep quality and life satisfaction. A total of 1127 individuals (51.1% males) participated in this survey, and the prevalence of poor sleep quality was 42.3%. The mean score on the Satisfaction with Life Scale was 16.72 ± 5.67, according to the corresponding scoring criteria, with 15-19 being generally dissatisfied. After controlling for demographic variables, the contribution of subjective sleep quality (β = - 0.181, p < 0.01), sleep duration (β = - 0.080, p < 0.01) and daytime dysfunction (β = - 0.311, p < 0.01) to life satisfaction of high school students increased to 23.2%, indicating that subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, and daytime dysfunction were 22.9% predictive of life satisfaction among high school students. And also, physical activity on schooldays and weekend days were associated with better sleep quality and higher life satisfaction (p < 0.05). Among Chinese high school students, the prevalence of sleep problems was high, and the majority of students held moderate life satisfaction. Sleep quality was positively correlated with life satisfaction among Chinese high school students, with better sleep quality resulting in higher life satisfaction among students.

Factors Associated with Sleep Quality Among Malaysian Undergraduate Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Poor sleep quality has become a public health concern due to its association with several health risks. Recent studies had shown that university students had poor sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this study aimed to determine the factors associated with sleep quality among undergraduate students in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study involved 377 undergraduates from public and private universities in Malaysia. The study ws conducted between 16 June 2021 to 31 July 2021. Respondents completed an online survey reagarding to their sociodemographic background, sleep quality, chronotype pattern, night eating syndrome, food security, physical activity, internet addiction and self-reported body weight and height. There was poor sleep quality in 62.3% of the respondents. Respondents who were Malay (AOR = 3.84, 95% CI =2.07-7.11), in the arts stream (AOR = 2.55, 95% CI = 1.20-5.42) and internet-addicted (AOR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.22-3.77) had higher risk of poor sleep quality. Respondents who lived in a rented house (AOR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.16-0.88), were sophomores (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.25-0.99) and were the morning chronotype (AOR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.17-0.72) had lower risk for developing poor sleep quality. This study underscored the high prevalence of poor sleep quality among undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggested that by preventing internet addiction and the evening chronotype can improve sleep quality.

Self-reported sleep quality and oligo/astheno/teratozoospermia among men attending an infertility clinic: a longitudinal study.

We aimed to examine the influence of sleep disturbances on the risk of oligo/astheno/teratozoospermia (OAT) in men attending an infertility clinic. We consecutively enrolled men attending an infertility clinic from July 2020 to June 2021. Semen parameters were obtained at initial presentation, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, and the STOP-BANG Questionnair were completed to assess sleep quality. Embryo outcomes were evaluated after infertility treatment. Of 466 menenrolled, 119 had OAT (OAT group) and 347 hadnormozoospermia (NS group). There were no differences between the two groups regarding Epworth Sleepiness Scale and STOP-BANG Questionnaire scores. The prevalence of poor sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score ≥ 5) in the OAT group was significantly higher than that in the NS group (42% vs. 29%, p = 0.009). A higher rate of poor subjective sleep quality was observed in the OAT group compared with the NS group (p = 0.005) and Pearson's correlations revealed a negative relationship between subjective sleep quality and semen quality. Logistic regression found that subjective sleep quality was independently associated with an increased risk of OAT (adjusted odds ratio = 0.610, p = 0.007). Men with OAT attending an infertility clinic exhibited poor subjective sleep quality. Improving sleep disturbances may be a target intervention to reduce the risk of OAT. This possibility warrants further investigation.

An assessment of prevalence of poor sleep quality among construction workers in Southern India

PurposeSleep quality has been associated with health and safety issues influencing construction labour productivity in developing countries. Despite its significantly adverse contribution to these facets if left unattended to, limited studies have sought to establish its prevalence and causal factors in labour-intensive contexts. This study aims to bridge the gap between the prevalence and casual factors of poor sleep quality among construction workers.Design/methodology/approachAdopting a case study research design, data were collected from a randomly selected sample of construction workers (n = 475) recruited from four construction-based corporations in Southern India. Self-administered questionnaires comprising a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale was used to measure sleep quality among respondents alongside demographic characteristics, lifestyle preferences and work-habits data. Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression analysis and descriptive statistical techniques.FindingsSlightly more than a third of the construction workers (n = 33.9%) surveyed experienced poor sleep quality based on a PSQI method score of = 5. Also, the nexus between demographic characteristics, lifestyle preferences and work habits on the incidence of poor sleep quality among construction workers was confirmed.Practical implicationsThe study contributes to the contemporary discourse on improving sleep health of construction workers to enhance their well-being thereby enabling their contribution towards achieving improved construction labour productivity.Originality/valueThis study makes an original contribution to the extent that it seeks to not only determine the prevalence of sleep quality within the construction industry and associated causal factors but to explore its implications on construction labour productivity.

Lifestyle factors associated with poor sleep quality among undergraduate dental students at a Malaysian private university.

The purpose of this study was to look into the associations between lifestyle factors, gender, clinical level, and sleep quality among undergraduate dental students at a private university in Malaysia. A self-administered Pittsburg sleep quality index (PSQI) scale and the lifestyle and habits questionnaire-brief (LHQ-B) were used in this cross-sectional study. A global PSQI score of greater than 5 indicates poor sleep quality. All university dental students were invited to take part. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data. A total of 338 students took part in the study, with a response rate of 90.4%. The proportion of females was higher (68.3 %) and more than half of the respondents (56.7 %) were in their clinical years. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 36.7%. At multivariable level, poor sleep quality was associated with being male (OR=1.72 [95% confidence interval (1.05, 2.83)] and engaging in an unhealthy lifestyle for psychological health (OR=2.64 [95% confidence interval (1.34, 5.21)] and nutrition (OR=2.48 [95% confidence interval (1.028, 4.82)]. The prevalence of poor sleep quality among undergraduate dental students in our study was comparable to that found in other studies. Male students were more likely to have poor sleep quality than female students. Our findings indicate that poor sleep quality (PSQI score >5) may be linked to unhealthy lifestyle habits related to psychological health and nutrition. Health education that emphasizes these domains is essential for improving their lifestyle habits and sleep quality.

COVID-19 pandemic decreased sleep quality of medical students

Medical students are especially vulnerable to situations of poor sleep quality due to academic demands. The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes and high psychological stress, causing a great impact on this population. Here we aim to analyze the influence of the pandemic on the sleep quality of medical students. Cross-sectional, observational, and descriptive study with a quantitative approach carried out with students from medical universities in Rio Grande do Norte state (Brazil) through the online application of two questionnaires: Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI-BR) and sociodemographic questionnaire (SQ). A total of 142 medical students participated in this study: 103 women and 39 men. We observed a prevalence of low sleep quality in 78.16% of the sample and that the pandemic significantly affected the sleep quality among medical students (p<0.05). We also found an alteration in the sleep pattern in 83% of the participants, mainly due to anxiety symptoms (38%). Finally, we observed no statistically significant difference in sleep quality or sleep patterns between genders or college period (p>0.05). This rate of poor sleep quality is higher than the prevalence of periods before the pandemic (58%). Concerns about COVID-19's negative impact on medical education, delayed training, and impact on the generation of medical jobs can directly aggravate the sleep quality. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively influenced the sleep quality of medical students, increasing the prevalence of poor sleep quality and promoting changes in the sleep pattern.

Sleep quality among workers in the health sector exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global health crisis that has posed enormous pressure on workers in the health sector (WHS), having a massive impact on their mental health. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the sleep quality of WHS during the pandemic and compare frontline WHS to those who are not directly engaged in the care of COVID-19 patients. This cross-sectional, self-reported online survey assessed the sleep quality of WHS in Austria using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The same questionnaire was sent out two times. Due to the unequal sample and anonymity of the study participants, we analyzed the data of each time point separate from each other. The first study was conducted in April/May 2020, during the first lockdown in Austria (Study1), and the second study was conducted in July/August 2020, when the social restrictions were loosened (Study2). T-test was used to compare the mean values of PSQI scores between frontline vs. non-frontline WHS, while two two-way ANCOVAs were used to analyze differences in the PSQI mean scores (controlled for age) for male vs. female between frontline vs. non-frontline WHS. During the first lockdown in Austria (Study1) we identified a shorter sleep duration of frontline WHS compared to the non-frontline group, however the difference in global PSQI score between these groups was statistically not significant. In the period after loosened restrictions (Study2) the sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency and global PSQI score was worse in frontline WHS compared to the non-frontline WHS. Furthermore, female WHS scored higher in the PSQI indicating a worse sleep than male WHS. In addition, nurses and nursing assistants had a higher prevalence of poor sleep quality than other occupational groups. Our results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacts the sleep of WHS, affecting particularly frontline WHS. Preventive interventions aiming to promote good sleep quality in WHS during a healthcare crisis like this pandemic are essential to enhance resilience and mitigate the vulnerability of this specific population.