Objective: To demonstrate a relationship between sleep patterns and quality with mental health parameters in healthcare undergraduates in Punjab, Pakistan, with an emphasis on depression, anxiety and stress.
Methodology: Healthcare undergraduates were chosen in this observational, descriptive and survey-based study. Sleep quality was assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and depression, anxiety, and stress, by Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS).
Results: Out of 451 students, 239 (53%) were females and 212 (47%) males. A correlation was found between scores of PSQI and DASS scale. Higher scores of depression were found among females, with poor sleep quality and an increased need for sleep aid medications. Final-year students faced higher rates of depression and anxiety as compared to 1st-year students, who were found to have a higher prevalence of stress.
Conclusion: Medical undergraduate students faced poor sleep quality with higher depression, anxiety, and stress rates with increased severity among female students.
Key words: Sleep quality, Healthcare students, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Psychological health, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21).
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