Comparative Analysis of Sleep Quality between Medical and Nonmedical Students at Gulu University, Uganda

Background: Adequate sleep is essential for overall health and well-being, and poor sleep quality significantly affects academic performance. In this study, we evaluated and compared the quality of sleep among medical and nonmedical students at Gulu University in Uganda. Methods: We conducted a cros...

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Main Authors: Brenda Nakitto, Federes Nansubuga, Edward Omondi, Moses Opedo, Felix Bongomin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Public Health and Primary Care
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jphpc.jphpc_21_23
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author Brenda Nakitto
Federes Nansubuga
Edward Omondi
Moses Opedo
Felix Bongomin
author_facet Brenda Nakitto
Federes Nansubuga
Edward Omondi
Moses Opedo
Felix Bongomin
author_sort Brenda Nakitto
collection DOAJ
description Background: Adequate sleep is essential for overall health and well-being, and poor sleep quality significantly affects academic performance. In this study, we evaluated and compared the quality of sleep among medical and nonmedical students at Gulu University in Uganda. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study recruiting undergraduate students of Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to assess sleep quality and depression, respectively. PSQI score >5 defined poor sleep quality and PHQ-9 score ≥5 depression. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of poor sleep quality. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 513 participants enrolled, 199 (38.8%) were female, with a median age of 23 (interquartile range: 22–25) years. Overall, 395 (77.0%) students had poor sleep quality (nonmedical students 317 [80.3%] vs. medical students 78 [19.8%], P = 0.023). The prevalence of symptoms of depression was 57.7% (n = 296) and was significantly higher among those with poor sleep quality compared to those with good sleep quality (259 [65.6%] vs. 37 [31.4%], P < 0.001). The odds of having poor sleep quality were over 4-fold higher among students with symptoms of depression than those without (adjusted odds ratio: 4.31, 95% confidence interval: 2.45–7.60, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The study findings reveal a high prevalence of poor sleep quality and depression among students at Gulu University. Routine screening of sleep quality and depressive symptoms is necessary to control and prevent their impact on the performance and well-being of university students.
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spelling doaj-art-04024bb1b5aa4e2f95897ac8251d39de2025-01-14T06:08:18ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Public Health and Primary Care2772-36662772-36742024-12-015312212810.4103/jphpc.jphpc_21_23Comparative Analysis of Sleep Quality between Medical and Nonmedical Students at Gulu University, UgandaBrenda NakittoFederes NansubugaEdward OmondiMoses OpedoFelix BongominBackground: Adequate sleep is essential for overall health and well-being, and poor sleep quality significantly affects academic performance. In this study, we evaluated and compared the quality of sleep among medical and nonmedical students at Gulu University in Uganda. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study recruiting undergraduate students of Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to assess sleep quality and depression, respectively. PSQI score >5 defined poor sleep quality and PHQ-9 score ≥5 depression. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of poor sleep quality. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 513 participants enrolled, 199 (38.8%) were female, with a median age of 23 (interquartile range: 22–25) years. Overall, 395 (77.0%) students had poor sleep quality (nonmedical students 317 [80.3%] vs. medical students 78 [19.8%], P = 0.023). The prevalence of symptoms of depression was 57.7% (n = 296) and was significantly higher among those with poor sleep quality compared to those with good sleep quality (259 [65.6%] vs. 37 [31.4%], P < 0.001). The odds of having poor sleep quality were over 4-fold higher among students with symptoms of depression than those without (adjusted odds ratio: 4.31, 95% confidence interval: 2.45–7.60, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The study findings reveal a high prevalence of poor sleep quality and depression among students at Gulu University. Routine screening of sleep quality and depressive symptoms is necessary to control and prevent their impact on the performance and well-being of university students.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jphpc.jphpc_21_23depressiongulu universitymedical studentnonmedical studentsleepsleep quality
spellingShingle Brenda Nakitto
Federes Nansubuga
Edward Omondi
Moses Opedo
Felix Bongomin
Comparative Analysis of Sleep Quality between Medical and Nonmedical Students at Gulu University, Uganda
Journal of Public Health and Primary Care
depression
gulu university
medical student
nonmedical student
sleep
sleep quality
title Comparative Analysis of Sleep Quality between Medical and Nonmedical Students at Gulu University, Uganda
title_full Comparative Analysis of Sleep Quality between Medical and Nonmedical Students at Gulu University, Uganda
title_fullStr Comparative Analysis of Sleep Quality between Medical and Nonmedical Students at Gulu University, Uganda
title_full_unstemmed Comparative Analysis of Sleep Quality between Medical and Nonmedical Students at Gulu University, Uganda
title_short Comparative Analysis of Sleep Quality between Medical and Nonmedical Students at Gulu University, Uganda
title_sort comparative analysis of sleep quality between medical and nonmedical students at gulu university uganda
topic depression
gulu university
medical student
nonmedical student
sleep
sleep quality
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jphpc.jphpc_21_23
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