Burden of poor sleep quality, stress, anxiety, and depression among staff nurses working in tertiary hospitals of Puducherry: a pilot study

Background: Sleep deprivation and psychological distress have emerged as occupational health issues among staff nurses. Poor sleep quality is mostly combined with increased stress, anxiety, and depression, all of which can adversely affect personal well-being and professional performance in the health system. The aim of the pilot study assessed the prevalence of poor sleep quality, stress, anxiety, and depression among staff nurses working in tertiary hospitals of Puducherry. Methods: A descriptive pilot study was conducted among 30 staff nurses aged 18 to 60 working in Puducherry tertiary care hospitals. One tertiary hospital was randomly selected, and participants were recruited through systematic random sampling. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), whereas psychological distress from common mental disorders was assessed using the depression, anxiety, and stress scale-21. Results: The mean age of the participants was 47.13±7.47 years. About half of the participants (56.7%) have shown poor sleep quality (Global PSQI score>5). Among PSQI components, 16 (53.33%) participants had limited 5-6 hours of sleep, and 15 (50%) exhibited moderate to high sleep latency. 22 (73.33%) participants were found with good sleep efficiency. Regarding psychological distress, 20% of participants with stress, 36.7% revealed varying degrees of anxiety, and 16.7% showed symptoms of depression. Conclusions: The study highlights a burden of poor sleep quality, stress, anxiety, and depression among staff nurses in tertiary care settings. These findings underscore the need for further large-scale studies, early identification and intervention strategies to support mental health and improve sleep hygiene among nursing professionals.