Sleep disorders and night-shift work in nursing students: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Medical Science
• Nursing Education
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• University students, particularly nursing students, exhibit a higher prevalence of sleep disorders.
• Nursing students are disproportionately susceptible to sleep disturbances compared to the general student population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate risk factors for sleep disorders among nursing students.
• To examine the association between sleep disorders, symptoms, and lifestyle factors.
• To assess the impact of night shifts on sleep quality and disorder prevalence in nursing students.

Main Methods:

• A self-administered questionnaire collected data from 202 nursing students on demographics, lifestyle (smoking, physical activity, coffee intake), and academic factors.
• Validated instruments including the General Health Questionnaire, Sleep and Daytime Habits Questionnaire, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale were used.
• Perceived stress, sleep disorder symptoms, and daytime sleepiness were assessed.

Main Results:

• High perceived stress and unsatisfactory academic performance were significantly associated with sleep disorder symptoms and poor sleep quality.
• Smoking was linked to daytime sleep disorder symptoms, while late-evening coffee intake correlated with fewer nighttime symptoms.
• Night shifts and their frequency were not found to be associated with increased sleep disorder symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Sleep disorders are a critical concern for nursing students, potentially leading to errors and reduced academic performance.
• While night shifts may not directly impact sleep quality, addressing stress and academic factors is crucial for improving sleep health in this population.