Sleep quality and associated factors among undergraduate medical students during Covid-19 confinement

PROBLEM CONSIDERED: Medical students are vulnerable to poor sleep quality which may lead to attention difficulties and poor academic performance. Good quality sleep is needed for optimal neurocognitive and psychomotor functions as well as physical and mental health. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of poor sleep quality among undergraduate medical students during home confinement at the time of Covid-19 pandemic and analyze the relationship between sleep quality and relevant socio-demographic and psychological variables. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 284 undergraduate medical students of a teaching hospital of Bhubaneswar from October–November 2020. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, relevant information was collected. Sleep quality of the students was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire and mental health status of the students using Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 (DASS-21). RESULTS: The prevalence of poor sleep quality among undergraduate medical students was 45%. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that students doing exercise for <3 days/week (AOR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.01–3.23), spending ≥8 h screen time/day (AOR: 2.02, 95%: 1.12–3.66), having anxiety symptoms (AOR: 3.61, 95% CI: 1.72–7.57), and those who were not satisfied with own self (AOR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.35–5.38) were more likely to report poor sleep quality. CONCLUSION: Poor sleep quality was prevalent among undergraduate medical students during their home confinement at the time of Covid-19 pandemic. Sleep educational programs, anxiety management, and lifestyle modifications can be recommended to improve sleep quality among medical students.