Calidad de sueño, somnolencia e insomnio en estudiantes de medicina durante la pandemia de COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic represented a challenge for medical education. Online education was the best alternative to avoid the risk of transmission of the virus. However, confinement, uncertainty, fear and various family and economic problems had an impact on the physical and mental health of the most population. The aim of the study was to describe sleep quality, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness among medical students from Yucatan, Mexico, during COVID-19 pandemic.

Methodology: A cross-sectional and analytical study was designed with a probabilistic sample of 114 medicine students who electronically completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality, Epworth sleepiness scale, and Insomnia Severity Index questionnaires, from September to December 2021.

Results: 74.5% of the students had poor sleep quality, without differences between ages, sex, or hours of sleep. The subjective quality of sleep was correlated with the result of the questionnaire. On bad sleepers, the time for initiating sleep (latency) was more than twice compared to good sleepers. Insomnia was associated with poor sleep quality (OR 54, CI 95% 6.9-417 p < .001). Students referred to excessive homework (18%) family/personal problems (15%) and worry about exams (7%), and others as causes of insomnia. Daytime sleepiness occurred in 64% of the students and associated with bad sleep quality (OR 3.12; CI 95% 1.3-7.47, p = 0.01).

Conclusion: In conclusion, during the pandemic, most of the medicine students presented poor quality of sleep, insomnia and daytime sleepiness, despite having online classes at their homes.