Sleeping Patterns among Medical Students in the Middle East: Identifying Areas for Intervention

Abstract

Aims: The objective of the study was to describe the Arabian Gulf University medical students’ sleeping patterns and to provide recommendations for promoting healthy and better sleeping patterns among the students. Study Design and Place of Study: A cross sectional study was conducted on medical students enrolled at the Arabian Gulf University in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Methodology: A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was used, which included questions on demography and sleeping patterns. Results: Of the 535 medical students who were enrolled in years 1-4, 443 responded to the questionnaire thus resulting in a 82.8% response rate. The study showed that 40.2% of the medical students were attending the College without sleep at all for at least one day during the week. There were significant differences by gender, nationality, and accommodation status. Conclusion: Sleeping patterns cluster among students according to gender, nationality and accommodation status. Urgent interventions are needed to promote healthy sleeping patterns among medical students.