Screen time association with sleep quality and anxiety levels among medical college students: A cross-sectional study

Background Digital screen use has increased across the world among all age groups. Excessive screen use can affect sleep quality and mental health among young students. Objective The objective of the study is to study the association of screen time with sleep quality and anxiety levels among medical college students. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 medical students; sociodemographic details, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scale, and Beck Anxiety Inventory were administered. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21, for data on continuous scale mean, median, standard deviation, standard error and confidence intervals, for comparisons independent t-test, ANOVA for group’s analysis and for correlations spearman’s rank correlation. Results Decreased sleep quality was noticed in 41.5% of the medical students. On the Beck anxiety severity scores, 29% had mild anxiety symptoms, 17% had moderate, and 8% had severe anxiety symptoms. Sleep quality and anxiety scores had a significant positive correlation r = 0.000. Screen use on an average weekday and background screen use on regular week days were positively correlated r = 0.007. Mild, moderate, and severe anxiety level groups had higher PSQI scores though not statistically significant. Correlation is significant at 0.01 level and P value significant at or <0.05. Conclusion Increased background screen use was associated with poor sleep quality. Anxiety levels were high in those with impaired sleep quality. Creating awareness about excessive use of digital screens effects, on mental health and sleep are essential.