Sleep quality among dental students and its association with academic performance

The influence of sociodemographic and health-related factors, clinical education status, and sleep quality on work-related quality of life among dental students

INTRODUCTION

With the premise that the demanding educational process and associated factors could influence the work-related quality of life (WRQoL) of dental students, this study aimed to investigate the influence of diverse sociodemographic and health-related factors, clinical education status, and sleep quality on the WRQoL of dental students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A three-part questionnaire was administered to a group of preclinical and clinical dental students studying in different classes. The first part of the questionnaire included various sociodemographic and health-related questions. In the second part, the multidimensional 23-item WRQoL scale, with established validity and reliability, was applied to evaluate the WRQoL of the students. The last part of the questionnaire included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, comprising 19 items. General linear models were created to predict subscale scores using sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, as well as univariate significant independent variables.

RESULTS

It was observed that the majority of the participants (78.2%) had poor sleep quality. Being clinical dental students had a significant and positive effect on the stress at work domain of WRQoL (p = .006), while it had a significant and negative effect on the home-work interface domain (p < .001). The decrease in sleep quality had a significant and negative effect on all domains of WRQoL (p < .05) except for the stress at work domain.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical education status, regular smoking, and sleep quality significantly affect different domains of dental students' WRQoL. Changes in these factors should be considered in approaches to increasing students' WRQoL.

Well-being of undergraduate dental students: Questionnaire design, findings and future directions

INTRODUCTION

The recent pandemic has highlighted the importance of addressing well-being in the overall health of students. There is a need for support systems within dental schools to help students demonstrate resilience, adapt to learning environments and thrive in their professional careers.

OBJECTIVES

The main aim of the study was to evaluate Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students' understanding and experience of well-being. The objectives were to create a suitable survey to assess students' well-being, investigate the factors affecting dental students' well-being and develop a student well-being action plan based on the analysis of the survey.

METHODS

A literature review was conducted to identify and critically assess existing measures of well-being in dental students. Four domains of well-being (emotional, physical, social, intellectual) relevant to dental students were identified. Through a comprehensive iterative process, a two-part survey was developed and tested, which measured individual experiences of well-being across the four domains and collected feedback on proposed initiatives to support student well-being. The survey was disseminated to all 452 dental students from Years 1 through 6, of which 71% (321) responded.

RESULTS

The survey revealed low levels of overall well-being among the dental student population, which worsened with increasing years of clinical study. Fear of failing exams presented the biggest challenge with regard to emotional well-being, while sleep deprivation and occupational health hazards most affected the physical well-being domain. Intellectual well-being was compromised by insufficient free time to pursue extracurricular interests and concerns about achieving the required skills. Despite a majority experiencing positive relationships with their peers and tutors, less than a fifth agreed that the Faculty of Dentistry 'supported my well-being as a dental student'.

CONCLUSION

As the first investigation of the well-being of dental students in Hong Kong, the key stressors identified were examinations, long schedules and the physical burden of dental work, which are consistent with international literature. The findings reveal students' needs and preferences for well-being initiatives which will be optimized in the implementation of student-centred curricular activities.

The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorder among dental students: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite the increasing concern, the literature lacks a comprehensive synthesis of the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances among dental students.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review following Cochrane Manual for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and PRISMA guidelines. Our search, spanning databases like Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus, covered data until June 5, 2023. A random effect model was utilized for the meta-analysis.

RESULTS

From 508 initially identified articles, 45 studies met eligibility criteria. The pooled prevalence of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders among dental students was estimated as follows: depression [38%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 32%-44%; I2 = 98%], anxiety [48%, 95% CI: 41%-55%; I2 = 97.7%], and sleep disorders [31%, 95% CI: 24%-38%; I2 = 85.7%]. Subgroup analyses based on geographical regions and assessment scales revealed significant between-subgroup differences. Meta-regression identified associations between the prevalence of depression and the year of publication and between the prevalence of anxiety and total sample size, participant age, and year of publication. Publication bias assessments demonstrated a lack of significant bias, strengthening the validity of the findings.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances in dental students is significant. This study highlighted the need for targeted interventions and support systems within dental education to alleviate the mental health challenges students face, ultimately ensuring their well-being and competence as future healthcare providers. Further research should explore the effectiveness of interventions in this population.

Factors associated with poor sleep quality among dental students in Malaysia

Background

Good sleep quality is crucial for dental students as they must have optimal cognitive function, memory, and decision-making to accomplish their learning requirements. This study aims to determine sleep quality, its associated factors, and the association between sleep quality and academic performance among dental students in Malaysia.

Methods

This cross-sectional study involved dental students at four public universities in Malaysia. A validated Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire was used to assess their sleep quality. An additional self-administered questionnaire was employed to obtain the students' sociodemographic profile, lifestyle, and academic performance. The data were analysed using descriptive, chi-square, and multiple logistic regression.

Results

Three hundred eighty-four dental students participated in this study. About half of the dental students (51.6%) have poor sleep quality. The mean of sleep hours per night was 5.72 (SD 1.06). The sleep quality was significantly poor among Malay students (P = 0.023), students who stayed at hostel (P = 0.002), and those who consumed caffeinated drinks (P = 0.028). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the poor sleep quality was significantly associated with self-perceived poor academic performance (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 2.95, 95% CI [1.25-6.96], P-value = 0.013) and students skipping class (AOR 1.70, 95% CI [1.00-2.91], P-value = 0.046).

Conclusions

Most of the dental students in Malaysia have poor sleep quality. Ethnicity, accommodation, and caffeine consumption were significantly associated with sleep quality. Awareness to sleep quality among dental students is needed to ensure they are able to cope with the challenging dental school learning environment.

The combination of listening to background music and deep breathing as a stress reduction strategy during dental preclinical study

OBJECTIVES

According to our earlier study, background music can help foster dental preclinical manual dexterity training and learning and has the potential to increase student satisfaction and productivity. Deep diaphragmatic breathing helps produce a relaxed mental state and is considered a behavioral coping strategy to reduce anxiety. Experimental data on whether background music combined with deep belly breathing reduces the stress and anxiety of preclinical dental students during practice is lacking. Thus, we focused on evaluating the effects of the combined use of these two techniques on dental students during preclinical manual skills training.

METHODS

Thirty-one voluntary 3rd-year dental students' anxiety levels and their behavioral changes were monitored via anonymous, voluntary surveys including the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), and Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A).

RESULTS

Overall, stress measured by GHQ-12 decreased significantly in female students (p = 0.025), but not in males. Both background music and deep belly breathing significantly reduced all students' fear and stress based on their VAS-A scores in practice. However, a clear difference from the nonuse of coping strategies could not be conclusively shown. The students regarded the course positively based on survey replies.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined use of the two coping strategies delivered beneficial effects to the preclinical dental students: they reduced the amount of stress in the supervised preclinical students and considerably cut down the students' anxiety. Further investigation of this new dental training scenario may help professionals provide better student education and care management during the dental preclinical phase.

Association between impulsivity and cognitive capacity decrease is mediated by smartphone addiction, academic procrastination, bedtime procrastination, sleep insufficiency and daytime fatigue among medical students: a path analysis

BACKGROUND

Medical students are at high risk for sleep disturbance. One possible cause of their sleeping problem is impulsivity. We aim to investigate the possible mediators between medical students' impulsivity and sleep outcomes. Thus, we developed and investigated a model where the predictors were attentional, non-planning, and motor impulsivity subtraits. In the final model, subjective cognitive capacity decrease was the outcome variable. In light of previous findings, academic procrastination, smartphone addiction, and bedtime procrastination were considered important mediators as well as two variables of poor sleep, sleeping insufficiency, and daytime fatigue.

METHODS

Medical students (N = 211; age_M = 22.15 years; age_SD = 3.47 years; 71.6% women) were recruited to complete an online survey comprised of demographics (age, gender), self-administered scales (Abbreviated Impulsiveness Scale, Bedtime Procrastination Scale, Abbreviated Impulsiveness Scale, Academic Procrastination Scale-Short Form) and questions on tiredness, daily fatigue and subjective cognitive capacity decrease. Correlation and path analyses were implemented to examine hypothesized relationships between the variables.

RESULTS

Both attentional impulsivity (β = 0.33, p < .001) and non-planning impulsivity (β = -0.19, p < .01) had a direct relationship with cognitive capacity decrease. Attentional impulsivity was also associated with decreased cognitive capacity with a serial mediation effect via smartphone addiction, academic procrastination, bedtime procrastination, sleep insufficiency and fatigue (estimate = 0.017, p < .01). The indirect link between non-planning impulsivity and cognitive capacity decrease was mediated by academic procrastination, bedtime procrastination, sleep insufficiency and fatigue (estimate = 0.011, p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Inability to stay focused and plan tasks effectively (directly and indirectly) predicts poor sleep outcomes. This relationship is mediated by excessive smartphone use, academic procrastination, and bedtime procrastination. Our findings are relevant in light of self-regulatory learning, which is crucial in medical education. This is a recursive cycle of planning, emotion regulation, proper strategy selection and self-monitoring. Future interventions addressing attentional and non-planning impulsivity, problematic smartphone use, academic procrastination, and in turn, bedtime procrastination might make this routine more effective. In the conclusion section, practical implications of the results are discussed.

Associations between Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Sleep Quality among Healthcare Students

OBJECTIVES

Stress, anxiety, and depression among students have many negative health consequences and may predispose students to poor sleep quality; therefore, this research aimed to investigate the perceived stress, anxiety, and depression and their relation to the level of sleep quality among healthcare students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study using a validated survey was conducted among Saudi healthcare students from different regions during the period from 26 September 2022 to 30 October 2022. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was utilized to assess sleep quality. PSPP Statistical Analysis Software version 1.2.0 was used for all statistical analyses.

RESULTS

701 respondents participated in this research; the response rate was 73.8%. About 60% of the study sample was female, and the average age was 20.9 years. 80.3% of students have poor sleep quality; the participants' mean sleeping hours per night was 6.81 ± 1.88 h. About three-quarters of students (72.9%) perceive themselves as stressed. A significant positive correlation was observed between sleep quality and perceived stress (r-value = 0.363), anxiety (r-value = 0.387), and depression (r-value = 0.347). Poor sleep quality was more likely among those with stress than those without stress (AOR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.07, 2.99) and two times more likely among students with cases of anxiety than those without anxiety (AOR = 2.07; 95% CI 1.10, 3.94).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study highlights the high prevalence of poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and stress among healthcare students in Saudi Arabia. Students' reported stress, anxiety, and residence region were associated with poor sleep quality. These results imply the necessity of regular screening and appropriate intervention for sleep problems, stressors, and anxiety among healthcare students.

Factors associated with poor academic performance among undergraduate dental students: A cross‐sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the factors associated with poor academic performance among undergraduate dental students enrolled at a public university in Brazil.

METHODS

A semi-structured questionnaire addressing the exploratory variables of interest (sociodemographic and economic characteristics, use of medications and drugs, dentistry as the first choice of undergraduate course, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) was hosted on Google Forms and shared with all dental students at the Federal University of Pelotas. Academic performance was evaluated based on institutional records, access to which the participants had previously authorized; students with good (average ≥7.0 points) or poor academic performance (average <7.0 points) were considered. Adjusted logistic regressions were performed to verify the association between academic performance and the exploratory variables (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

In total, 244 students were included, of whom 18.8% had poor academic performance. Increased age (OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.18-1.52), non-white skin color (OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.18-1.52), the use of medications for anxiety and depression (OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.18-1.52), and poor sleep quality (OR: 1.34; 95%CI: 1.18-1.52) were factors associated with poor academic performance.

CONCLUSION

A low prevalence of poor academic performance was observed. Non-white skin color, increased age, use of anxiolytics or antidepressants, and poor or disturbed sleep may reduce dental students' academic performance.

Postoperative poor sleep quality and its associated factors among adult patients: A multicenter cross-sectional study

Background

Sleep quality refers to a sense of being refreshed and rested after waking up from sleep. Postoperative patients were vulnerable to poor sleep quality due to having different contributing factors. The prevalence of poor sleep quality among postsurgical patients was left undisclosed in our study setting. Knowing the prevalence and contributing factors for poor sleep quality helps us to develop a strategic plan for prevention and management.

Method and materials

A multicenter cross-sectional study design was conducted on 424 postsurgical patients who were selected by a systematic random sampling method. Data was collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index by a face-to-face interview. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 25. For categorical data, a chi-square test was done. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine whether each of the independent variables is associated with the outcome variable.

Result

Based on this study result, the prevalence of poor sleep quality was 64.9%. Among the factors included in this study, variables which had an association with poor postoperative sleep quality were age range 25–54 years (AOR = 15.13), male gender (AOR = 4.81), educational level of secondary school (AOR = 6.29), patient income less than 2500 birr (AOR = 3.77), anxiety (AOR = 2.53), depression(AOR = 22.8), light exposure(AOR = 19.60), poor social support (AOR = 1.98), being emergency surgery (AOR = 2.46) and having a history of moderate to severe pain (AOR = 38.18, (95% CI).

Conclusion

Poor sleep quality among adult post-surgical patients was significantly high in Amhara regional comprehensive referral hospitals. Therefore; Clinicians need to prioritize postoperative sleep quality assessment and needs to minimize factors inducing postoperative sleep disturbances.

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The prevalence of postoperative poor sleep quality was 64.9%.

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Pain is associated with poor sleep qualities.

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Postoperative sleep quality was poorly managed.

The association of smartphone addiction, sleep quality and perceived stress amongst Jordanian dental students

INTRODUCTION

Smartphone addiction has been associated with sleeping problems and psychological anxiety. However, little is known about the association of smartphone addiction, sleep quality and perceived stress amongst university students particularly in dentistry. This study investigated the association of these variables amongst dental students in a Jordanian dental faculty.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A sample of 420 undergraduate dental students enrolled for academic year 2017/2018 at the Jordan University of Science and Technology participated in this study. They were given a set of self-administered questionnaires which consisted of questions regarding demographic information, characteristics of smartphone use, assessment of smartphone addiction, sleep quality as well as perceived stress.

RESULTS

The mean Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS) score amongst Jordanian dental students was high (109.9 ± 23.8). The correlation between SAS and Global Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score was significant (r = 0.137, P =0.005) indicating that the higher the smartphone addiction level, the poorer the quality of sleep. Similarly, a significant correlation was found between Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10) score and Global PSQI score (r = 0.348, P < 0.001) which implied that students who have higher perceived stress experienced poorer sleep quality. Year 3 students (clinical year), smartphone addiction and perceived stress were determinants of sleep quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Dental students who have high levels of smartphone addiction or high perceived stress levels experienced poor sleep quality. Identifying smartphone addicts amongst students as well as stressors are imperative measures to allow timely assistance and support in the form of educational campaigns, counselling, psychotherapy and stress management.

The effect of the menstrual cycle on the sense of touch, grip strength and manual dexterity of dental students

Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate through comparative tests the effect of the menstrual cycle on levels of depression, sleep quality and grip strength, fingertip touch and manual dexterity of students in the Dental Faculty. Methods. The study sample was formed from female students of the Dental Faculty. The total 70 participants comprised 31 from the first year and 39 from the final year. Evaluations were made in two different consecutive phases of the menstrual cycle. Data were collected using the Beck depression inventory (BDI), the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), handgrip and lateral grip strength measurements, fingertip two-point discrimination sensory measurement, the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test, the O'Connor tweezers skill test and the Purdue pegboard test. Results. A statistically significant difference was determined between the menstrual and ovulation phase measurements of the BDI, PSQI, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test (right), the O'Connor tweezers skill test and Purdue pegboard test (right + left), and the Purdue Pegboard test (total and assembly) (p < 0.05). Conclusions. The menstrual cycle does not affect the sense of touch, grip strength and simple hand skills. However, task-focused skills requiring care and the manual dexterity needed for the use of instruments are affected.

Internet Addiction and Academic Performance in Dental Students

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between Internet addiction (IA) and academic performance in dental students at the University of Cartagena.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 402 students included through non-probabilistic sampling who answered an anonymous and self-reporting questionnaire that included socio-demographic variables, academic performance (last semester overall grade), presence of IA (Young's Test) and covariates related to IA based on academic performance. Data were analysed by means of proportions, relationships between variables with the χ² test and strength of association was estimated with odds ratios (OR) using nominal logistic regression.

RESULTS

Approximately 24.63% of the students used the Internet much less than the average population, but 75.3% had IA; 73.13% of cases were considered mild and 2.24% moderate. There were no severe cases. Around 5.2% had poor academic performance. In multivariate analysis, the model that best explained IA in relation to academic performance was: studying in lower-level courses (OR=0.54; 95% CI, 0.32-0.91); studying in a different places of the house (OR=3.38; 95% CI, 1.71-6.68); not using laptop for studying (OR=0.41; 95% CI, 0.19-0.89), chatting on mobile phone (OR=2.43; 95% CI, 1.45-3.06); and spending more than 18 minutes on mobile phone while studying (OR=3.20; 95% CI, 1.71-5.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Academic performance was not associated with AI. However, studying in lower-level courses, in a different place of the house, not using laptop to study, and spending more than 18minutes answering their mobile phone and chatting on mobile phone while studying were covariates statistically associated with IA.

Examining the Relationship Between Biometric Indicators and Pharmacy Students' Academic Performance

Objective. To use a fitness tracking device to track student wellness habits, specifically number of steps, activity, and sleep duration, in an attempt to identify relationships between these variables and academic performance outcomes such as examination scores and course grades. Methods. A fitness tracker was issued to second professional year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students to track their daily number of steps, activity levels, and minutes of sleep. Individual data from these devices were collected using a cloud-based data aggregation platform. The outcome variables of interest were student grade point average (GPA) in core courses, as well as examination grades for 17 examinations administered across eight required courses during the study period. After exploratory analyses, the primary research questions relating steps and sleep to academic performance were addressed with a series of linear regression models. Results. No significant, identifiable relationships were found between examination grades or course GPA and the variables of interest. There was a significant negative relationship between the number of steps students took 72-hours before an examination and performance on the examination where students in the low activity group significantly outperformed those in the high activity group by an average of two points. Participants took an average of 1,466 fewer steps prior to an examination. Conclusion. Sleep and physical activity were not robust predictors of examination scores and course grades in this cohort of PharmD students. While the fitness tracker served as an impetus for the students to be more cognizant of their activity, the capital expenditure for the devices did not result in improved academic performance.

Poor sleep quality and associated factors in university students in Bogotá D.C., Colombia

Objective

Poor sleep quality is a common problem in the general population, frequently associated with personal habits and comorbid conditions. University students may be a vulnerable population because of their daily routine, habits and sleep hygiene behavior. There are few related studies on this subject in Colombian undergraduates. The aim of this study is to characterize sleep quality in Colombian university undergraduates and examine possible associated factors.

Methods

Cross-sectional study was performed with self-administered questionnaires including demographic data, lifestyle habits, sleep hygiene habits and sleep quality measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The study group included 414 students from different schools enrolled at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia.

Results

Prevalence of poor sleep quality according to PSQI was 58.9%. Multivariate analysis showed an association of poor sleep quality with smoking (OR = 3.17 [1.51-6.66]) and eating in bed (OR = 2.13 [1.31-3.47]), with probable protective factors in sleeping at the same time (OR = 0.37 [0.25-0.59]) and having breakfast 5 or more days of the week (OR = 0.53 [0.31-0.91]).

Discussion

Poor sleep quality is frequent among undergraduates, regardless of their area of study. The identification of possible related factors may help to design targeted preventive measures, as it is promoting healthy lifestyle habits, adequate sleep hygiene practices and avoiding tobacco use.

Differential effects of individual and school factors on the academic trajectories of Japanese dental students

OBJECTIVE

Dental students follow different academic performance trajectories in response to increasing study load, based on individual and school factors. Group-based trajectory modeling is useful for clarifying the underlying trajectory patterns of students' academic performance and its determinants. To our knowledge, no studies have used group-based trajectory modeling to examine the effects of individual and school factors on academic performance trajectories in dental students. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of individual and school factors on academic performance trajectories in Japanese dental students using group-based trajectory modeling.

METHODS

The analytical sample consists of 103 dental students admitted to Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan, in 2013 and 2014. Students' academic performance was assessed by biannual grade point average (GPA) score and GPA in the preclinical phase (second to fourth grade) was used for this study. We used group-based trajectory modeling to categorize students' GPA trajectories into different groups. A multinomial logistic regression model was fit to examine associations between students' individual and school factors, and odds of being assigned to certain GPA groups.

RESULTS

GPA trajectories of dental students were classified into 4 different groups. Students' past academic performance in high school was associated with lower GPA trajectories and withdrawal or repeating years. Males were significantly associated with lower GPA trajectories and withdrawal or repeating years, even after adjusting for past academic performance.

CONCLUSIONS

Past lower academic performance and being male were positively associated with lower academic performance trajectories in Japanese dental students.

Quality of sleep and use of computers and cell-phones among university students

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the quality of sleep and its association with the use of computers and cell-phones among medicine and dentistry students.

METHODS

Cross-sectional and comparative study, which evaluated 425 students through a socioeconomic questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI), and a questionnaire on their use of computers and cell phones.

RESULTS

Poor sleep quality was observed in 61.4% of medical students and in 60.1% of dentistry students. Medical students with poor sleep quality had a higher mean time of computer use at night when compared to those with good sleep quality (p=0.04), as well as for computer (p<0.001) and cell phone use (p<0.01) immediately before bedtime. Dentistry students with poor sleep quality had a higher average time of computer use before bedtime than those with good sleep quality (p=0.03).

CONCLUSION

Students should receive guidance on prevention strategies and quality of sleep care.

Sleep quality in medical students: a comprehensive meta-analysis of observational studies

PURPOSE

Poor sleep quality is common in medical students and is associated with a number of negative health outcomes. However, the prevalence estimates of poor sleep quality in medical students vary widely across studies. We thus conducted a meta-analysis of the prevalence of poor sleep quality and its mediating factors in medical students.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Medline Complete was performed. The random-effects model was used to analyze the pooled prevalence of poor sleep quality and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

A total of 57 studies with 25,735 medical students were included. The pooled prevalence of poor sleep quality was 52.7% (95% CI: 45.3% to 60.1%) using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The pooled mean total PSQI score across 41 studies with available data was 6.1 (95% CI: 5.6 to 6.5). Subgroup analyses found that PSQI cutoff value and study region were associated with the prevalence of poor sleep quality (P = 0.0003 VS. P = 0.005). Across the continents, poor sleep quality was most common in Europe, followed by the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Meta-regression analyses found that smaller sample size (slope = - 0.0001, P = 0.009) was significantly associated with higher prevalence of poor sleep quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor sleep quality is common among medical students, especially in Europe and the Americas continets. Due to the negative health outcomes, regular screening of poor sleep quality and effective interventions are needed for medical students.

Determinants of Subjective Poor Sleep Quality in Social Media Users Among Freshman College Students

INTRODUCTION

Social media (SM) usage has increased markedly among young adults. It is linked to poor sleep quality (PSQ), a risk factor for mental and physical health concerns. This study identified the determinants of PSQ in SM users among freshman college students.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional design was used and 842 students completed a self-administered questionnaire. Analyses were performed using the χ ² test to examine differences in the characteristics of poor and good sleepers and logistic regression to estimate the risk of PSQ with reference to SM usage patterns.

RESULTS

Around 75.40% (n = 635) of the participants had PSQ. There was a significant difference in the PSQ rate between males (66.3%) and females (79.3%, p < 0.001), those who were physically active (67.2%) and those who were not (82.4%, p < 0.001), those who were mentally depressed (86.5%) and those who were not (61.5%, p < 0.001), and those with anxiety (87.8%) and those without (64.3%, p < 0.001). The risk of PSQ was lower among students who used SM for education (OR = 0.65, CI = 0.42 to 0.99, p = 0.048), had higher laptop usage (OR = 0.67, CI = 0.47 to 0.96, p = 0.03), and had higher SM usage during daytime (OR = 0.46, CI = 0.32 to 0.67, p < 0.001). The risk of PSQ was higher among those who reported SM usage at bedtime (OR = 1.69, CI = 1.01 to 2.81, p = 0.046).

DISCUSSION

Among SM users, PSQ was related to sociodemographic features, lifestyle characteristics, and health-risk factors. Further research is required to confirm these findings.

Sleep Quality and Sleepiness Among Veterinary Medical Students Over an Academic Year

Good sleep health is a key component to good personal well-being. It has been postulated that veterinary students have poor sleep health, but few measurements have been undertaken. This study measured Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale values at multiple points throughout an academic year for students in a veterinary medical curriculum. Students were found to have overall poor sleep quality and above average to excessive daytime sleepiness. Further investigation is necessary to determine specific causes as well as what action can be taken to improve student sleep health.

Influence of sleep disturbance, fatigue, vitality on oral health and academic performance in indian dental students

Background

Oral health and academic performance are important contributing factors for a student’s professional life. Countless factors affect both, among which sleep, vitality and fatigue are less explored areas that also have a strong impact.

Objective

The objective of the study was to assess the association of sleep disturbances, fatigue and vitality with self reported oral health status, oral hygiene habits and academic performance of dental students of Udaipur.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate and postgraduate dental students of Udaipur. Self-administered structured questionnaire was used to assess the psychological factors, vitality, sleep quality, fatigue, self reported oral health status, habits and academic performance. Analysis of variance and stepwise multiple linear regression were utilized for statistical analysis with 95% confidence level and 5% level of significance.

Results

Of the 230 participants, 180 (78.3%) were undergraduates and 50 (21.7%) were postgraduates. Among them, females showed higher scores in disturbed sleep index (2.69±2.14) as compared to males (2.45±1.91). Respondents who had “Poor” dental health, scored more in disturbed sleep index (3.15±1.64) and fatigue scale (20.00±4.88). Subjects who flossed “everyday”, were found to have good sleep and more energy (p=0.01) and those who assessed themselves as excellent students scored more in the Vitality Scale (p=0.01) and less in the Sleep index (p=0.01).

Conclusion

The present study confirms that disturbed sleep, aliveness and fatigue, all are interlinked with each other and are imperative factors having the potential to alter the oral health status, habits and academics of dental students.