Sleep Disorders and Associated Factors Among Medical Students in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Sleep Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Sleep disorders are a growing concern among medical students globally.
• Saudi Arabia's medical students face unique academic and psychological stressors impacting sleep.
• Existing data on sleep disorder prevalence and contributing factors in this population requires synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze the prevalence of sleep disorders among medical students in Saudi Arabia.
• To identify demographic, behavioral, and psychological factors associated with sleep problems in this cohort.
• To synthesize evidence for potential interventions to improve sleep health and academic outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search across major databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar).
• Inclusion of observational studies reporting on insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, or general sleep disturbances.
• Meta-analysis performed on pooled prevalence data from eligible studies (11 studies, 3,874 participants).

Main Results:

• Pooled prevalence of insomnia was 52% and excessive daytime sleepiness was 44%, with significant heterogeneity.
• Prevalence rates varied widely across studies (insomnia: 32%-86.8%; daytime sleepiness: 37.3%-56.9%).
• Associated factors included female gender, younger age, preclinical level, smoking, high workload, anxiety, and depression.

Conclusions:

• Sleep disorders are highly prevalent among Saudi medical students, influenced by a complex interplay of factors.
• Targeted interventions focusing on sleep hygiene, stress management, and mental health support are crucial.
• Addressing these issues may enhance student well-being and academic performance.