Comparison of Sleep Quality Index and Subscales (Sleep Latency, Sleep Duration and Sleep Efficacy) among Students at Good, Average and Limited Academic Performance at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Sleep-related problems remain largely an unidentified public health issue, especially among university students. The aim of this study was to appraise sleep quality among students at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Also it was to compare the sleep quality index and subscales sleep quality with the different level of academic performance of students. This descriptive study was done through causal –cluster comparative method. The research population was all students from different fields of medical sciences from 2007 to 2010; they were studying at Bachelor degree and professional doctorate level and at second semester in 2010-2011.. Accordingly, 168 students were selected through Randomized Stratified Sampling method. Data collection tools included (PSQI) and demographic questionnaires; afterwards, data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVAs methods. Prevalence of poor sleep quality was calculated %57/1 in comparison to normal sleep quality (%42/9). Student's average scores were 6/15 (PSQI), and it was more than normal range. In addition, there was a significant difference between sleep quality index and subscale “sleep efficacy"; while there was not observed any difference between “sleep latency and sleep duration”. The results showed the majority of students at Tabriz University of medical sciences were at poor sleep quality and there also observed a considerable relationship between sleep quality index and students’ academic performance. The present investigation provided an applicable suggestion that the importance of sleep quality and quantity effectiveness on education should be considered and mainly be taught as well as life skills (as a component of life styles) to students.