Sleep disorders, depression and anxiety among medicine university students in Sfax

Abstract

Introduction

Sleep symptoms, depression and anxiety often coexist and tertiary students are a population group that are increasingly recognised to be at risk. However the rates of these conditions in the tunisian population are poorly understood.

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate sleep quality among medicine students during exam periods and identify correlations with anxiety and depression.

Methods

This is a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. It involved students of medicine University of Sfax during the period of exams. Each student filled out demographic questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess the quality of sleep and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD) to screen for anxiety and depressive disorders.

Results

The average age was 22.27 years. The sex ratio M/F was 0.66. The students were single in 96.7% of cases. The average score of PSQI was 6.67 ± 3.23. According to the PSQI, 53.3% of students had poor sleep quality. The anxiety score ranged from 0 to 7 with an average of 8.37. The depression score ranged from 0 to 16 with an average of 7.47. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were present in 26.7% of students. The PSQI score was significantly correlated with anxiety (p <0.01) and depression scores (P = 0.019).

Conclusion

Anxiety and depressive symptoms are common among students during exam periods. They are associated with poor quality sleep. The establishment of a helpline for students during exam time, with psychologists and psychiatrists, would help them better manage this difficult period.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.