Assessment of the importance of sleep quality and the effects of deprivation on Sudanese healthcare professionals amidst conflict in Sudan
Authors: Amin Mohammed Hammad Jaber , Elmahi Musab Awadalla Mohamed Elhassan , Fadlalmoula Gasm Alseed Abdelmonim Gasm Alseed , Amin Jaber Hammad Jaber , Alrabee Noon Hatim Khalid , Awad Mohammed Haydar , Omer Zuhal Yahya Mohamed , Dayyeh Nuha Tayseer Ibrahim Abu , Abdalkareem Nada Abdalla Hassan , Ahmed Esra Mohammed Osman Meisara Seed , Osman Hadia Abdelrahman Hassan , Mohamed Hiba A. O. , Othman Dania Ibrahim Taha , Badawe Tagwa Saeed Ibrahim , Mustafa Eyha Abdulaziz , Hagar Ehtida Abdelmonem , Babiker Aya Elshaikh Mohamedtoum , Alnour Ammar Alemam Diab , Ahmed Estbrg Alsafi Mohamed , Garban Eithar Hussein Elamin , Mohammed Noura Satti Ali , Ahmed Khabab Abbasher Hussien Mohamed , Beig Mirza Adil , Shafique Muhammad Ashir , Ali Shahad Azhari Mohmed , Elhag Mazar Gamal Mohamed , Omer Mojtaba Majdy Elfakey , Mohamed Asma Eltayeb Abdalla , Ali Amna Alrasheed Abuzaid , Elhassan Hiba Osman Ali Mohamed , Saleh Khlood Hamdi Ahmed Bin , Ali Maria Badraldin , Abdalla Sahar Suliman Elzber , Alhaj Waleed Mohammed , Mergani Elaf Sabri Khalil , Hassan Hazim Hassan Mohammed , Ahmed Hind Mohamed Elfatih Fadl Elmula , Subahi Razan Abuelgasim Musa 
Published: July 2024

Background

Quality sleep is vital for well-being, especially for healthcare workers facing high risks of fatigue and burnout. Sleep deprivation impairs cognitive and motor functions, contributing to medical errors. Addressing sleep disorders among healthcare professionals is crucial for enhancing patient care. Tailored interventions are needed to support their well-being and improve healthcare outcomes.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of Sleep Quality and its Deprivation on Sudanese Healthcare Professionals amidst conflict in Sudan.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey of Sudanese doctors was conducted using convenience sampling. The questionnaire covered sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and psychological well-being. Pilot testing ensured questionnaire clarity. Data collection utilized Google Forms distributed through social media and professional networks. A minimum sample size of 384 was calculated. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and various tests for significance. Data were securely stored and analyzed using SPSS and R software.

Results

Among 649 participants, 404 (62.2%) were women, with a mean age of 30.34 years. Most were single (434, 66.9%). General practitioners constituted the largest professional group (267, 41.1%), followed by registrars/residents (142, 21.9%). Participants took an average of 43.70 minutes to fall asleep and slept an average of 5.90 hours per night. According to the PSQI, 300 (46.2%) reported mild sleep disturbance, 287 (44.2%) moderate, 42 (6.5%) severe, and only 20 (3.1%) normal sleep. The ESS revealed 285 (43.9%) with lower normal daytime sleepiness, 188 (29.0%) with higher normal, and various levels of excessive daytime sleepiness. Stress levels varied, with 398 (61.3%) reporting normal stress, while anxiety ranged from 248 (38.2%) normal to 148 (22.8%) extremely severe.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes the importance of addressing sleep quality, mental health, and performance challenges among Sudanese healthcare professionals. It highlights the need for hospitals to implement measures enabling more time off, adequate sleep, and reduced on-call service days. Healthcare workers must recognize the significance of these factors for their well-being and patient care quality. The research outcomes can raise awareness about the necessity of regulating healthcare practitioners' working hours and ensuring adequate sleep.