Factors associated with sleep quality among medical students in Vietnam: a national cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Objective: This study explored factors associated with sleep quality among medical students in Vietnam.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: The study was conducted from December 2019 to February 2020 among medical students in Vietnam.

Participants: Medical students were defined as those enrolled in undergraduate medical programmes. 1284 medical students who met the inclusion criteria participated in this study.

Outcome measures: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to measure participants' sleep quality, with a score of 5 or higher indicating poor sleep quality. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were employed to identify the factors associated with poor sleep quality.

Results: 36.6% of the study participants had poor sleep quality. There were statistically significant differences in the percentage of poor sleep quality across genders, health-related quality of life, morbidity status and depression (p<0.05). Depression (Coef.=0.54, 95% CI 0.17, 0.91 and OR=1.50, 95% CI 1.13, 1.99) and any morbidity (Coef.=0.64, 95% CI 0.28, 0.99 and OR=1.44, 95% CI 1.09, 1.88) were factors associated with higher PSQI Score and increased risk of poor sleep quality. In contrast, higher health-related quality of life scores (EuroQOL-5 dimensions-5 Levels Index: OR=0.01; 95% CI 0.002, 0.03 and Coef.=-7.11; 95% CI -8.65, -5.56; and EuroQOL-Visual Analogue Scale: OR=0.99; 95% CI 0.98, 1.00 and Coef.=-0.03; 95% CI -0.04, -0.01) were related to lower PSQI Score and reduced risk of poor sleep quality.

Conclusions: This study reveals that health conditions and psychological well-being were associated with sleep quality among medical students. Reducing stress, improving quality of life and improving morbidity have the potential to improve the sleep quality of medical students.