Impact of Academic Stress on Sleep Patterns among Medical Students of Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Objective: To estimate the frequency and association between academic stress and sleep quality among medical students of Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: Army Medical College, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jul to Sept 2023. Methodology: Data from 280 students were obtained using non-probability convenience sampling. Medical students at Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, aged 18 to 25 years were included in the study. Students having anxiety disorders and diagnosed cases of sleep disorders were excluded. An online questionnaire was used to evaluate academic stress and sleep patterns. Results: Out of the 280 participants of the study, 246(87.8%) reported that they experienced academic stress. Academic stress scores showed that 161(57.5%) respondents experienced high levels of academic stress. Poor sleep (PSQI score 5-21) was seen in 225(80.3%) participants. A significant association was found between academic stress and sleep quality (p=0.009), sleep latency (p=0.045), sleep duration (p=0.015), sleep disturbances (p=0.024), daytime dysfunction (p=0.043), and subjective sleep quality (p=0.001). Conclusion: A large proportion of participants from the study setting experience academic stress and have disturbed sleep patterns with poor sleep quality. Both variables are seen to be associated with each other. A greater percentage of females experienced academic stress than males, but subjects having poor sleep quality comprised almost equal percentages of males and females.