Patterns and Predictors of Sleep Disturbances among Nigerian Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study
Ifeoma Nwadiuto
Department of Community Medicine, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Adetomi Bademosi *
Department of Community Medicine, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Nduye Christie Tobin Briggs
Department of Community Medicine, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Gbara Precious Karakpoa
Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Thankgod Efeelo Peaceful
Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Sleep disturbances represent a critical yet under-addressed public health challenge among medical students globally, with particular significance in resource-constrained settings like Nigeria. These disturbances compromise cognitive function, academic performance, mental health, and the long-term professional competency of future healthcare providers.
Sleep disturbances represent a critical yet under-addressed public health challenge among medical students globally, with particular significance in resource-constrained settings like Nigeria, where they compromise cognitive function, academic performance, mental health, and long-term professional competency.
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, describe the detailed patterns (type, frequency, chronicity), and identify key socio-demographic and academic predictors of sleep disturbances among medical students at a Nigerian public university.
Methods: The study design is cross-sectional. An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted among 381 undergraduate medical students at Rivers State University, selected via stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire incorporating the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and items on specific sleep disturbance patterns. Sleep disturbance was defined as a global PSQI score >5. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics outlined patterns. Bivariate analysis (Chi-Square Test) and multivariate binary logistic regression were used to identify independent predictors, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The prevalence of clinically significant sleep disturbance was 48.3%. Predominant patterns included abnormal sleep duration (<7 hours) affecting 90.3% of all participants, nocturia-related awakenings (69.3%), sleep maintenance insomnia (65.6%), and severe daytime dysfunction (67.5%). A striking 93.2% of students with sleep onset insomnia reported symptoms persisting for over six months, indicating chronicity. In multivariate analysis, being in the clinical academic phase (300L-600L) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3-3.4) and female gender (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.6) emerged as significant independent predictors of sleep disturbances (Nagelkerke R² = 0.095).
Conclusion: Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent, chronic, and multifaceted among Nigerian medical students, with those in clinical years and female students being at greatest risk. These findings necessitate a structured public health response within medical education, including mandatory integration of sleep hygiene education, gender-sensitive support programs, and institutional policy reviews.
Keywords: Sleep disorders, medical students, public health, predictors, academic stress, health promotion, Nigeria