Sleep Quality, Physical Activity, and Academic Performance Among Medical Students in Sudan During Armed Conflict: A Cross-Sectional Study

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorAnfal Yousif Ishag Adam
dc.contributor.authorMohab Ahmed Abdalla
dc.contributor.authorMohammed Khalid Abdullah
dc.date.accessioned2026-10-31T13:01:36Z
dc.date.available2026-10-31T13:01:36Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.descriptionNapata College
dc.description.abstractBackground: Medical students are exposed to high academic demands that can negatively affect sleep quality and physical activity, both of which are important for cognitive performance. These challenges may be exacerbated during periods of conflict, such as the ongoing war in Sudan. This study aimed to assess the association between sleep quality, physical activity, and academic performance among medical students in Sudan during the war period (2023–2025). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 203 medical students from five Sudanese universities. Data were collected using an online self-administered questionnaire, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality, the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) for physical activity, and self-reported academic performance. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS to examine associations between sleep quality, physical activity, and academic performance. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained prior to participation. Results: A total of 203 medical students participated, with over half reporting declined academic performance during the conflict. The mean PSQI score was 8.15 ± 3.70, indicating poor sleep quality, while 46.8% had high physical activity levels. Sleep quality was significantly associated with age, residency, socioeconomic status, and all academic performance measures (p < 0.05). In contrast, physical activity showed no significant association with academic performance. Regression analysis identified sleep quality as a significant predictor of academic performance (β = -0.373, p < 0.001), whereas physical activity was not. A weak positive correlation was observed between physical activity and poorer sleep (r = 0.166, p = 0.018). Conclusion: Poor sleep quality was highly prevalent among medical students in this conflict affected setting and was strongly associated with lower academic performance, while physical activity showed no significant direct effect. These findings underscore the critical role of sleep in supporting cognitive function and academic success, highlighting the need for interventions that promote healthy sleep habits in medical student populations.
dc.identifier.urihttp://dspace.napata.edu.sd/handle/123456789/445
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherNapata College
dc.titleSleep Quality, Physical Activity, and Academic Performance Among Medical Students in Sudan During Armed Conflict: A Cross-Sectional Study
dc.typeThesis
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
Sleep Quality, Physical Activity, and Academic Performance Among Medical Students in Sudan During Armed Conflict.pdf
Size:
876.25 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed to upon submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Batch 6