Sleep Hygiene Practices and Sleep Quality Among Undergraduate Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: The role of sleep in supporting psychological, mental, and physical health is well documented. Sleep hygiene practices are effective modifiable behaviours that can be beneficial to improve sleep quality among medical students who are in short supply of sleep due to a demanding course. Aim and Objective: To estimate the magnitude and beliefs about of poor sleep hygiene among medical students. To identify specific changes to needed to Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI). Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 293 undergraduate medical students using a pre-designed, self-administered questionnaire was conducted. Validated instruments the SHI and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used. Results: Poor sleep hygiene practices (47.4%) and poor sleep quality (69.3%) were prevalent among substantial number of medical students. Bedtime technology use, sleep latency (AOR=2.276), sleep disturbance (AOR=2.459), use of sleeping medication (AOR=6.559) and daytime dysfunction (AOR=2.128) had a significant association with poor sleep hygiene practices (p<0.05). The area under the ROC curve for SHI as a tool for predicting good sleep quality was 0.663. Conclusions: Regularization of sleep schedules by conducting time-management workshops among students and addition of items in SHI, on bedtime technology use along with dietary changes and daytime exposure to sunlight to improve sleep quality is recommended.