An Assessment of Sleep Quality and Associated Factors in Hospitalized Patients: Perspectives from a Tertiary Care Setting in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia

Abstract : Sleep is a vital component of human behavior essential for survival and long-term health. However, hospitalized patients frequently experience poor sleep quality due to environmental and illness-related disruptions, which can hinder recovery. This study aimed to assess sleep quality and identify associated factors among hospitalized patients in a tertiary care setting in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was utilized, involving 345 adult participants recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ), assessing five core items: sleep depth, latency, awakenings, return to sleep, and overall quality. Non-parametric tests were employed for data analysis. Patients reported a moderate mean sleep quality score of 3.59/6. Although 69.6% provided a positive overall rating, 63.5% experienced light sleep and 48.4% struggled with sleep latency. Statistical analysis revealed that age and hospital department did not significantly correlate with sleep quality. However, a slight positive correlation was found between longer hospitalization and improved sleep onset, suggesting environmental adaptation. Sleep disturbances are a prevalent, systemic issue in hospital settings, primarily driven by extrinsic environmental factors. Enhancing sleep quality requires institutional interventions, such as implementing protected sleep cycles and reducing nocturnal clinical interruptions.