Sleep patterns among medical undergraduates in Faculty of Medicine, Ragama

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Sleep pattern has a proven role in the academic performances. OBJECTIVES: To assess sleep patterns and associated factors for different sleep patterns among medical undergraduates in Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya (FMUK). METHODS: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 311 medical undergraduates from second (n= 57), third (n=94), fourth (n=128) and final (n=32) years of FMUK. Data was collected by a group of six fourth year medical students during September 2011. Data were collected using a self-ad ministered questionnaire and analysed using Epi info and SPSS software. RESULTS: Of the 311 respondents, 65% were females. Majority (54.7%) of them stayed in university hostels while 34.1% were in private boarding places and 11.3% in their own houses. Median duration of reported sleep during the weekday was 6.5 hours (Inter Quartile Rage -IQR : 6 to 7) and 8.5 hours [IQR : 7.5 to 9.5) during weekends. Reported quality of sleep varied from good quality (58.5%), trouble in falling asleep (13.8%), nightmares (13.5%), snoring (8.4%) and talking in sleep (5.5%). A single student reported walking in sleep. At least one nap per day was reported among 60%. The most common sleep habit among participants was falling to sleep without knowledge (40.8%) followed by dozing on table while studying (36.3%), studying/reading on bed (33.8%) and drinking alcohol or smoking prior to be (0.6%). However the majority of study participants (44.7%) reported to wake up without difficulty. Decreased sleep was reported prior to examinations among 54% and increased sleep among 23.2%. Nearly half of the participants (46.6%), reported feeling sleepy during most of the lectures. Sleep during lecture was reported to be associated with the topic of lecture (n= 96), presentation skills (n= 249), voice (n= 158), and the appearance (n-35) of lecturer. Good quality of sleep was associated with female sex (p -0.04), students resides at their homes (p = 0.04) and not dozing on the table (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Students identified the factors associated with sleep during lectures. Good quality sleep was associated with female sex. residence at home and not dozing on table. Lecturers should consider the factors which are associated with sleep during lectures.