EXPLORING THE PATTERNS AND DETERMINANTS OF SLEEP DISTURBANCES AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN SOUTH PUNJAB: A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Introduction:
Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining neurocognitive performance, emotional stability, and overall health. Medical students, exposed to heavy academic workloads and irregular clinical schedules, are particularly prone to poor sleep quality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of sleep disturbances among medical students in South Punjab, Pakistan.

Methods:
A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from November 2025 to February 2026 among 466 medical students selected through multistage stratified random sampling from three UHS-affiliated colleges. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic, academic, lifestyle, and psychological data. Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), while mental health was evaluated through the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 26.0, with chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression applied to identify independent predictors.

Results:
Poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) was found in 65.5% of participants, and 40.3% reported excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS ≥ 10). Significant predictors of poor sleep included high stress (AOR = 3.62, p < 0.001), screen exposure >1 hour before bed (AOR = 2.28, p < 0.001), night duties ≥3/month (AOR = 2.14, p = 0.002), and female gender (AOR = 1.61, p = 0.041). Regular exercise demonstrated a protective effect (AOR = 0.64, p = 0.046).

Conclusion:
Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent among medical students in South Punjab, predominantly influenced by behavioral, psychological, and academic factors. Targeted interventions promoting sleep hygiene, mental health counseling, and regulated academic scheduling are essential to improve student well-being and professional readiness.