RESUMO
Sleep deprivation may have grave health consequences; resulting in increased disease morbidity and mortality. Prevalence of poor sleep quality is higher among medical compared to non-medical students and the general population. Poor sleep quality affects the academic performance of medical students and also their work performance in the future when they become practitioners. Hence, in this background, the present study was conducted. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to find out the prevalence of poor sleep quality among medical students, its determinants and also its association with academic performance. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at a Medical College, Wayanad District, Kerala, between May and November 2018. All the undergraduate medical students of the college were the study subjects. Data were collected using a predesigned and pretested self-administered questionnaire, i.e., the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Completed responses were obtained from a total of 684 students. Results: 62.4% were found to have good sleep quality and 37.6% poor sleep quality. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was more among 17–19 years age group, males, married, Phase I MBBS students, NRI quota students, subjects belonging to religion “others,” urban origin students and day scholars. However, only phase of MBBS and place of origin were found to have a statistically significant association (P=<0.01 for both). The prevalence of poor sleep quality was more among those who had failed in the previous university exam/internal assessment or who had passed in pass class when compared to those who had secured distinction/I/II class. However, the association was not found to be statistically significant (P = 0.39). Conclusions: The prevalence of poor sleep quality among the study subjects was lower. There was a significant association of male sex and Phase I, MBBS with poor sleep quality. There was no significant association between sleep quality and academic performance.