Sleep Patterns and Academic Performance among Undergraduate Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Chennai, South India.
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Abstract
Background: Sleep disturbances are common among college students and may adversely affect mood, physical health, and academic performance. Medical undergraduates are particularly vulnerable due to academic stress and demanding schedules. This study aimed to assess and determine the association between sleep quality and academic performance among medical students. Understanding the relationship between sleep quality and academic achievement may help promote healthier sleep behaviors among students.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2025 to January 2026 among 3 rd -year undergraduate medical students at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Chennai, South India. A total of 100 eligible students were recruited based on the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected using self-administered, standardized, validated semi-structured questionnaires. Sleep quality and academic performance were assessed and Fisher's exact test was performed through the SPSS software version 25 to determine the association between the variables.
Results: Among 100 undergraduate medical students (mean age 21.31 ± 1.10 years), the mean internal assessment score was 41.09 ± 13.93 and the mean global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was 4.16 ± 1.86. Sleep quality was significantly associated with academic performance (Fisher's exact test = 15.679, P = 0.001); 65.9% of students with poor academic performance were poor sleepers, whereas the majority of students with fair or good performance were good sleepers, demonstrating a clear link between healthier sleep patterns and better academic outcomes.
Conclusion: Good sleep quality is significantly associated with better academic performance among medical undergraduates. These findings highlight the importance of promoting healthy sleep habits as a potential strategy to improve the academic outcomes in medical students.
期刊介绍：
The Annals of African Medicine is published by the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria and the Annals of African Medicine Society. The Journal is intended to serve as a medium for the publication of research findings in the broad field of Medicine in Africa and other developing countries, and elsewhere which have relevance to Africa. It will serve as a source of information on the state of the art of Medicine in Africa, for continuing education for doctors in Africa and other developing countries, and also for the publication of meetings and conferences. The journal will publish articles I any field of Medicine and other fields which have relevance or implications for Medicine.
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