Characteristics and Quality of Sleep in Medical Students from University of Panama.

Abstract

Introduction. 35% of the population has presented at some point in their life a sleep disturbance, with insomnia being the most common disorder. For medical students, the prevalence of poor sleepers ranges from 60% to 90%, which is even higher than the general population. 

Objective. To determine the characteristics and quality of sleep in medical students of University of Panama, during November of 2013. 

Methods. A descriptive, cross-sectional study. The universe was 1116 medical students of the University of Panama with a sample of 290 students, with a 95% confidence level. The data collection was performed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. 

Results. 56.6% (164) were females and the mean age was 21 ± 2 years. The subjective sleep quality was good in 48.6% (141) of participants and poor in 51.3% (149). In average, the students took about 15 minutes to fall asleep with a standard deviation of ± 17 minutes. 

Conclusion. This study can conclude that the majority of medical students of the University of Panama have bad sleep quality. 

Key words: Sleep quality, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, medical students.