Poor sleep quality and mental health indicators among medical students at a Brazilian federal university

Abstract

Introduction: Medical students are vulnerable to stress, anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality, often influenced by lifestyle habits. Understanding these factors is essential for promoting academic well-being. Objectives: To assess mental health indicators, sleep quality, and physical exercise habits among medical students at a public university. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with students from the Federal University of Santa Catarina between April and September 2024, using validated questionnaires to evaluate sleep quality, chronotype, depression, anxiety, stress, physical activity, and sociodemographic factors. Results: There was a high prevalence of poor sleep quality (73% reported poor sleep and 16% reported a sleep disorder), particularly among students aged 25 or older (p = 0.04). Anxiety was more frequent among women (68% with moderate to severe anxiety versus 18% among men; p = 0.002). Most participants reported engaging in physical activity, being classified as active (38%) or very active (53%). The highest prevalence of physical inactivity was observed among employed students, with 25% of working students classified as inactive, compared with 3% among those who did not work (p = 0.048). No significant correlations were observed between overall scores. However, in sex-stratified analyses, a correlation between sleep quality and depression was identified among men (r = 0.471; p = 0.023). Conclusions: Medical students show a high prevalence of poor sleep quality and anxiety symptoms, particularly among women.