Indoor environmental quality versus sleep hygiene: Determinants of self-rated academic performance among medical students - Cross-sectional study

Objectives: To evaluate the association between subjective IEQ parameters, sleep hygiene, and self-rated academic performance among medical students. Material and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 202 medical students at Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital using universal sampling. The study was done during the period of June 2025–August 2025. Data were collected through a structured self-administered Google Forms questionnaire. Independent variables included subjective room ventilation, lighting quality, ambient noise, study duration, daytime sleepiness, sleep duration, headache frequency, and perceived environmental influence on concentration. The dependent variable was self-rated academic performance categorized as above average, average, and below average. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were applied, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Most students reported good ventilation (59.4%) and good lighting quality (69.8%), while 61.4% studied in moderately noisy environments. Nearly two-thirds (65.3%) believed their room environment affected concentration. Sleep deprivation was common, with 18.8% sleeping <5 h nightly and 66.3% sleeping 5–7 h. Most of the participants rated their academic performance as average (79.7%). Bivariate analysis showed no significant association between academic performance and ventilation ( p = 0.216), lighting ( p = 0.641), noise level ( p = 0.321), study duration ( p = 0.123), daytime sleepiness ( p = 0.121), or headache frequency ( p = 0.831). Sleep duration demonstrated a significant association with academic performance ( p = 0.029), with severely sleep-deprived students reporting poorer academic outcomes. Conclusion: Sleep duration was the strongest determinant of self-rated academic performance, whereas subjective IEQ parameters showed no significant association. Promoting healthy sleep practices may improve academic functioning among medical students.