Dados do Trabalho

Título

Assessment of the subjective quality of sleep and its related parameters in a sample of students enrolled in health care courses

Introdução

The beginning of undergraduate education is a stage of social and psychological change in students' lives, and these challenges can be a significant source of stress in their academic careers. Adjustments in their sleep patterns and circadian rhythms are commonly reported, whether due to misalignment between their social and biological clocks or attributed to academic demands.

Objetivo

To evaluate subjective parameters related to sleep and circadian rhythms in students entering Biomedical Sciences, Nursing and Speech Therapy courses.

Métodos

Data from 69 first-year undergraduate students in 2023 and 2024 were analyzed (between June/2023 and May/2024). Data were collected using an electronic form that included sociodemographic questions and questionnaires to assess subjective sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), sleep hygiene (Sleep Hygiene Index), daytime preferences (Morning-Eveningness Questionnaire), and chronotype (Munich Chronotype Questionnaire).

Resultados

The mean age of the students was 20.8±3.4 years and 90% were female. Regarding the course of study, 39% were Nursing students, 36% were Biomedical Sciences students, and 24% were Speech Therapy students. Eighty five percent of the sample had poor subjective sleep quality (mean score 8.5±3.2 points) and mild sleep hygiene (mean score 35.4±5.7 points, range 13-65). Fifty-four percent of the students were classified as having intermediate daytime preference, seventeen percent have morning preferences, ten percent has evening preferences and six percent and one percent have extremely morning and evening preferences, respectively. Also, the students have an average chronotype at 3:30 a.m.±1:24.

Conclusões

The students in our sample had a high percentage of poor subjective sleep quality, poor sleep hygiene, and a greater presence of intermediate preferences and chronotypes. Factors, such as academic demands, later bedtimes, circadian misalignment, sleep deprivation, and unhealthy sleep habits may contribute to poor subjective sleep quality and sleep hygiene and may be a target for academic interventions to improve student health.

Palavras -chave

Student Health Services. Sleep hygiene. Sleep quality. Chronotype.