Assessment the rules of demographic variables and body mass index in sleep quality among medical students

This study aimed to assess the rules of demographic variables and body mass index in sleep quality among medical students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.  Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, in 2007-2008 the random sample of 310 medical students, including 222 male and 88 female, completed a researcher made demographic questionnaire and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire. A total score of more than 5 were considered as the poor sleep quality. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and chi-square, exact Fischer and U Mann-Whitney tests.  Results: Based on data, 39.8 of the students had poor sleep quality. Gender (P=0.003) and body mass index (â�¥25 and <25) (P<0.19) had significant relationship and marital status (P=0.547) and age (P=0.500) had no significant relationship with sleep quality. Also, there was no significant relationship between sleep quality of students who live in university dormitories and those of non-dormitory residents (P=0.109). According to significant differences of BMI in men compare to women (P<0.00001), results showed that no significant differences of sleep quality in men and women with BMIâ�¥25 (P=1.00). On the other hand, in BMI<25, male students had poor sleep quality compare to female students (P=0.019).  Conclusion: Compared with the similar studies, the high prevalence of poor sleep quality among Mashhad medical students need special attention and further researches to are needed to identify factors associated with sleep quality of medical students. Â