Perceived stress and sleep quality among health care faculty and postgraduate students during COVID- 19 pandemic lockdown

Abstract

Background: Perceived Stress and quality of sleep are major determinants of physical and mental health. Objective: To determine perceived stress and sleep quality among medical, dental and rehabilitation sciences faculties and its association with age, discipline and designation. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Islamic International Medical and Dental Colleges, and College of Rehabilitation Sciences of Riphah International University from July till September 2021. Two validated questionnaires Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were administered with informed consent using convenience sampling after ERC approval. Data was analyzed by SPSS 20. Spearman rank- order correlation test was used for correlation between variables. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 220 study participants, there were 119(54.1%) medical, 56(25.5%) dental and 45(20.5%) rehabilitation sciences professionals with 184 (83.6%) postgraduate residents and 40 (12.2%) consultants. Moderate stress was reported by 111 (93.3%) medical, 56 (100%) dental and 42 (93.3%) rehabilitation sciences professionals. Higher levels of stress were reported at ages 27-40 years (p=0.007), rehabilitation sciences (p=<0.001) and postgraduate students (p=<0.001). Poor sleep quality was found in medical and dental professionals (p=0.008) and post-graduate students (p=0.01). There was a positive intermediate correlation between stress and sleep disturbance (p<0.05). Sleep showed a weak negative correlation with discipline (p<0.05) and designation (p<0.05). Stress was weakly correlated with designation (p<0.05) and positively with age (p<0.05). Conclusion: A higher level of stress was detected in health care professionals in 27-40 years age groups, rehabilitation sciences and postgraduate students while poor sleep quality was reported more in medical and dental faculties and post graduate students' group.