A Survey of Sleep Quality, Pattern, and Duration Among Interns and Resident Doctors in Nigeria

Background: Adequate sleep is crucial for well-being. Long hours of work observed among resident and intern doctors disrupt sleep and promote health risks and sleep-induced morbidity and mortality. Aim: This study aimed to examine the impact of extended work hours on the quality, patterns, and sleep duration among ID and RD in Nigeria. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study involved participants from hospitals across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. Data were collected via a 32-item electronic questionnaire assessing socio-demographic details, sleep history, daytime sleepiness, and insomnia severity. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 18 software. Bivariate analysis was done using the appropriate tools. The Jonckheere–Terpstra test was used to compare the weekly work hours in the Insomnia Severity Score categories. Results: Significant daytime sleepiness was reported among interns and resident doctors, with mean (SD) Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores of 11.04 (4.702) for residents and 10.91 (4.202) for interns. The insomnia severity scores were also in the moderate to high categories, with a mean (SD) of 9.77 (6.659) for residents and 11.39 (6.143) for interns. Burnout symptoms were frequently reported among 70 residents (42.9%) and 20 (33.9%) interns. An increased prevalence of specific sleep disorders, particularly insomnia, nightmares, and sleep-related breathing problems, was observed. Conclusion: The study found that resident and intern doctors in Nigeria suffer from poor sleep quality and burnout syndrome, highlighting the significant burden of sleep-related issues that could negatively impact their work performance and the quality of patient care.