RISK FACTORS OF EXCESSIVE DAYTIME SLEEPINESS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Excessive daytime sleepiness is usually attributed to laziness, but it could be a manifestation of a serious medical problem and negatively impact academic achievement. The present study assessed the daytime sleepiness and factors associated with the same among medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted among medical students in Saudi Arabia during the period from January to October 2018. Two hundred and seventy-seven medical students were invited to sign a written informed consent then responded to a structured questionnaire based on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, demographic factors, Technology use, Cumulative Academic Grade (GPA), coffee consumption and sleeping pill use. The Chi-square and t-test were used to compare the students with excessive daytime sleepiness and those without the disorder and test the associated factors. Results: They were 277 medical students (men 49.5%), mean age (21.78 +/- 1.59) years, excessive daytime sleepiness was evident in 52.3% of students, the average technology use/day was 5.25 +/- 2.84 hours, the coffee intake was 1.98 +/- 1.36 cups/day, while 14.3% were using sleeping pills. No significant statistical associations were evident between the daytime sleepiness and age, sex, technology use, sleeping pills, chronic diseases, coffee intake and the GPA, (P-value<0.05). Conclusion: Excessive daytime sleepiness was prevalent among the medical students; no significant differences were detected between the students with this serious sleeping disorder and those without regarding demographic factor, Internet surfing, mobile phone texting, sleeping pills use, coffee consumption, and the cumulative grades.