Sleep Disorders and Associated Factors Among Medical Students in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

TL;DR

Medical students in Saudi Arabia experience high rates of sleep disorders, influenced by stress, lifestyle, and academic demands.

Contribution

This study provides a comprehensive meta-analysis of sleep disorders among Saudi medical students and identifies key contributing factors.

Findings

Insomnia prevalence among Saudi medical students ranges from 32% to 86.8%, with a pooled estimate of 52%.

Excessive daytime sleepiness ranges from 37.3% to 56.9%, with a pooled estimate of 44%.

Factors like female gender, younger age, and psychological distress are consistently linked to sleep problems.

Abstract

Sleep disorders are increasingly recognized among medical students in Saudi Arabia, a population facing demanding academic schedules, psychological stress, and lifestyle factors that negatively influence sleep health. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize existing evidence on the prevalence of sleep disorders in this group and to identify associated demographic, behavioral, and psychological factors. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar identified observational studies assessing insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and general sleep disturbances among medical students in Saudi Arabia. Eleven studies comprising a total of 3,874 participants met the inclusion criteria. Validated sleep assessment tools were used across all studies, although reported prevalence varied widely. Insomnia rates ranged from 32 percent to 86.8 percent, and excessive daytime sleepiness from 37.3 percent to 56.9 percent. Meta-analysis of five studies produced a pooled insomnia prevalence of 52 percent with substantial heterogeneity. Meta-analysis of three studies yielded a pooled prevalence of 44 percent for excessive daytime sleepiness, also with high heterogeneity. Factors consistently associated with sleep problems included female gender, younger age, preclinical academic level, smoking, high academic workload, and psychological distress such as anxiety and depression. Findings regarding academic performance were inconsistent, with some studies reporting poorer outcomes among students with sleep disorders while others found no relationship. Overall, the evidence indicates that sleep disorders are highly prevalent among medical students in Saudi Arabia and are influenced by multiple interacting factors. Interventions focused on sleep hygiene, stress reduction, and mental health support may improve student well-being and academic functioning.

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