Chronotype and sleep patterns among para-medical students at Kerman university of medical sciences: a cross-sectional study

Sleep patterns, including sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and chronotype preferences, are critical to the academic performance and well-being of healthcare students. This study examines these factors among para-medical students to understand their sleep behaviors comprehensively. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 among 187 operating room and anesthesia students at Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Validated tools, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Morningness-Eveningness Scale (MES), were used to assess sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and chronotype preferences, respectively. Demographic data were also collected. Non-parametric tests, including Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman’s rank correlation, were applied due to the non-normal distribution of scores. Analyses were conducted using SPSS, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. The mean scores for ESS, MES, and PSQI were 6.7 (SD = 4.2), 50.5 (SD = 5.1), and 6.3 (SD = 2.9), respectively. Most students (79.1%) did not report daytime sleepiness, and 90.9% were classified as having an intermediate chronotype. However, 52.9% had poor sleep quality (undesirable PSQI scores). Significant correlations were found between PSQI and ESS (P < 0.001, r = 0.320, R² = 0.10) and PSQI and MES (P = 0.010, r = 0.189, R² = 0.04). Poor sleep quality was significantly associated with older age, non-native status, and mental preoccupations. Poor sleep quality is prevalent among para-medical students and is significantly linked to chronotype and daytime sleepiness. These findings highlight the need for educational institutions to promote healthy sleep habits and provide mental health support. Further studies should investigate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving sleep quality and academic performance in healthcare students.