Sleep quality, fatigue and mental health status of students during first long distance voyage of Qi Ji-guang Warship / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the physiological and psychological status of students during the first long distance voyage of Qi Ji-guang Warship and to explore their correlation. Methods From Sep. 17 to Dec. 7, 2017, Qi Ji-guang Warship was on the first long distance voyage mission. On the 60th day during the voyage, the questionnaire survey was conducted on the students aboard Qi Ji-guang Warship. In all, 150 questionnaires were distributed randomly to respondents. The general information of the students was included in the questionnaire, and the physiological status and psychological status were assessed using Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scale, Epworth sleeping scale (ESS), fatigue severity scale (FSS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS). Results A total of 138 valid questionnaires were returned (response rate 92.0%). Forty-two first voyage students (30.4%) complained of health problems. The proportions of the students with poor sleep quality, moderate or excessive daytime sleepiness, high fatigue levels, anxiety and depression were 11.6% (16/138), 45.7% (63/138), 40.6% (56/138), 18.1% (25/138) and 21.0% (29/138), respectively. The PSQI, ESS and FSS scores of the students with anxiety were significantly higher than those of the students without anxiety (8.40±2.93 vs 6.34±3.10, 11.12±5.03 vs 8.70±4.53 and 38.84±12.41 vs 31.55±11.20, all P<0.05). The SAS score was positively correlated with PSQI, ESS and FSS scores (r=0.301, 0.242 and 0.274, all P<0.01). SDS score was positively correlated with PSQI and FSS scores (r=0.256 and 0.209, both P<0.05). Conclusion During long distance voyage, the students aboard have probabilities of poor sleep quality, sleepiness, fatigue, anxiety or depression. Mental status (anxiety and depression) is closely related to physiological status (sleep quality, sleepiness and fatigue), and exerts certain effect on physiological status. Psychological behavior training should be carried out to improve the tolerance, work efficiency and combat ability of students.