Sleep Quality Patterns, Determinants, and Academic Performance Impact among Medical Students in a Private Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: The study aimed to discern the sleep quality pattern, its determinants, and its impact on the academic performance of medical students in a private medical college in Lahore.

Methods: Conducted from June to December 2021, this descriptive cross-sectional study obtained ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board. Data were collected through a pretested self-administered questionnaire with sociodemographic and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) sections. SPSS version 20 facilitated data entry and analysis. The Chi-square test (p≤0.05) examined sociodemographic correlations, and a revised Chi-square assessed the relationship between PSQI score and GPA. Pearson Chi-square test explored associations between sleep patterns and influencing factors.

Results: Among 473 medical students, 78.2% exhibited poor sleep quality. Age, gender, and family type showed no significant relationship with sleep quality. However, a notable association emerged between sleep duration and students' study year (p=0.017). The use of sleep medication and daytime dysfunction displayed significant associations with the study year (p<0.000 and p=0.002, respectively). Only final-year undergraduates demonstrated a statistically significant connection between sleep quality and academic performance (p=0.05).

Conclusion: A substantial proportion of medical students experienced poor sleep quality. While sleep quality did not significantly impact the academic performance of most students, a noteworthy association was observed among final-year students.