Demographic and academic characteristics of medical students with sleep disorders- A cross sectional study from Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To determine the demographic and academic characteristics of MBBS students suffering from sleep disorders. Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive study Place and Duration: The research was conducted from 4th September 2016 to 30th November 2017 at the Department of Community Medicine Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan Methodology: The data were collected by using standardized structured questionnaires which included the Insomnia Severity Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Berlin Questionnaire to assess sleep disorders, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale to assess stress and anxiety among medical students. Results: Sleep disorders are common among female medical students (68%). Among the students with sleep disorders, 33 % were studying in third year MBBS, 55 % were suffering from anxiety disorders and 43 % were using internet daily for more than 4 hours. Conclusion: Female gender and third year medical students had higher frequency of sleep disorders. The results of this study highlighted that daily internet use of more than four hours and anxiety disorders are frequent among the students suffering from sleep disorder.