A Cross-Sectional Study of Change in Sleep Pattern among First year Students of a Medical College in Western India

Introduction: Most of the medical students start college life with some knowledge of personal health but little or no knowledge regarding value of sleep. Deprivation or disturbance of sleep may cause aggressiveness, apathy and decrease academic performance. Materials and Method: This is a cross-sectional, Questionnaire based study designed to determine the general sleep pattern and its effects in medical college students. We studied 100 randomly selected hostelite and localite students from the hostel, canteen and lecture theatres. Data regarding reasons for sleep disturbance and its impact on daily activities was collected by predesigned profoma. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and Epi-info. Results: Study stress was the main factor for disturbed sleep as 54% students experienced that their sleep was disturbed due to study. Late night sleeping was noted in 70% of the students and majority of them were hostelites. 83% students felt that their sleep pattern had changed after getting admission in M.B.B.S. Conclusion: Adequate sleep should not be compromised on account of study as it is a part of student life. Firs year students should be taught to maintain balance between study and sleep.