Sleep Patterns and Health Behaviours in Medical Students

Abstract

Aim:

The objective of this study was to examine the sleep patterns of medical students and its associations with significant health behaviours.

Methods:

Sleep was assessed with a self-response questionnaire covering a wide range of sleep-wake habits and difficulties. A factor analysis with varimax rotation was performed with seventeen items of the questionnaire and four factors were extracted: Sleep Disturbance, Sleep Timing, Insufficient Sleep and Dreams/Nightmares. The questionnaire also included questions on coffee use, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake and physical exercise. The sample consisted of 212 females (M age=20.32 years, SD=1.26) and 128 males (M age=20.19 years, SD=1.23) third year medical students.

Results:

Habitual alcohol intake was reported by 6.5% of the students (males=14.8% vs females=1.4%; p=.000) and regular physical exercise by 37.9% (males=47.7% vs females=32.1%; p=.004); The mean number of coffee cups used per day was 2.16±1.16 (males M=2.18±1.35 vs females M=2.13±1.03; NS) and the mean number of cigarettes smoked per day was 3.69±5.71 (males M=4.41+6.55 vs females M=3.25±5.10; NS). Students who regularly practice physical exercise reported less Sleep Disturbance (p=.004). Habitual alcohol intake was significantly associated with Sleep Timing (p=.051) and Insufficient Sleep (p=.007). Significant correlations were also found between cigarette smoking and Sleep Timing (p=.000), Dreams/nightmares (p=.023) and Insufficient Sleep (p=.001). Coffee use was correlated only with Sleep Timing (p=.000).

Conclusion:

In this sample of healthy young adults habitual alcohol intake and cigarette smoking was associated with Insufficient Sleep and regular physical exercise was associated with less Sleep Disturbance.