Sleep Habits in First Year Medical Students at AIIMS Patna and its Impact on their Academic Performance

Abstract

Introduction: - Sleep is an important biological necessity. Sleep timing and duration affects many functions of our body like, endocrine, metabolic, and neurological functions which are critical to the maintenance of individual health. College students often have erratic sleep schedules, poor sleep hygiene and poor sleep quality, which might affect their performance and cognitive functions. Objective: To characterize sleep habits and day and night habits in medical students using sleep quality assessment (PQSI scale) and Epworth sleepiness scale; to estimate how subjective sleep quality is associated with sleep problems in students; to estimate how academic progress is associated with subjective sleep quality. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional design- A self-administered paper questionnaire was administered of first-year through finalyear MBBS students. Students data on sleep quality was collected routinely as part of orientation program to assess students’ need in department of Physiology. Data on academic performance (first professional marks) was accessed from examination controller. Pittsburgh sleep quality index and Epworth sleepiness scale scoring was done. Results: A total of 90 medical students of AIIMS Patna, aged 16 to 25 years completed the study. Sleep habits of students shows an extreme range of 2 to 4 hrs minimum sleep to 7 to 9 hrs of maximum sleep. Maximum students take 6 to 7 hrs sleep. No statistically significant difference in academic performance between the different Epworth sleepiness score is observed. Negative correlation was obtained between the PSQI and grade average.