What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the prevalence and factors affecting sleep quality in physicians at tertiary care centers in Saudi Arabia.

February 23, 2026Open Access

Assessment of Sleep Quality Among Physicians Working at Tertiary Care Centers in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Puntos clave

To evaluate the prevalence and factors affecting sleep quality in physicians at tertiary care centers in Saudi Arabia.
Cross-sectional survey conducted between January and March 2025.
Used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality.
Collected demographic, occupational, and lifestyle information via an electronic questionnaire.
Employed chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression for data analysis.
412 physicians participated, with 75.2% classified as poor sleepers.
Mean PSQI score was 8.6, indicating significant issues with sleep quality.
Factors increasing poor sleep included shift work, on-call duties, late bedtimes, prolonged daytime naps, and screen use before sleep.
Protective factors included being married, having children, and avoiding caffeine before bedtime.

Resumen

Background: Adequate sleep is essential for physicians to maintain alertness, accuracy, and emotional stability in clinical care. However, no studies focused solely on physicians, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Objective: To determine the prevalence and determinants of sleep quality among physicians in tertiary care centers in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and March 2025 using the validated Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Demographic, occupational, and lifestyle data were obtained through an electronic questionnaire. Poor sleep quality was defined as a global PSQI score > 5. Bivariate analyses used the chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: A total of 412 physicians participated (61% male; 72% aged 20– 39 years). The mean PSQI score was 8.6 ± 3.1 (median = 8), and 75.2% (95% CI: 71.1– 79.4) of physicians were classified as poor sleepers. Shift work (aOR 2.58, 95% CI 1.61– 4.13) and on-call duties (aOR 1.76, 1.12– 2.76) significantly increased the odds of poor sleep. Later, bedtimes (1:00– 3:00 AM; aOR 3.12, 1.98– 4.91), prolonged daytime naps (> 30 min; aOR 2.95, 1.65– 5.26), and screen use before sleep (aOR 1.67, 1.08– 2.61) were also associated with poorer sleep quality. Being married (aOR 0.47, 0.33– 0.69), having children (aOR 0.51, 0.32– 0.81), and avoiding caffeine ≥ 6 hours before bedtime (aOR 0.50, 0.27– 0.90) were protective. Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of poor sleep quality among physicians working in tertiary care centers in Saudi Arabia, driven by occupational and behavioral factors. Behavioral changes and institutional measures promoting regulated work schedules and improved sleep hygiene are essential to mitigate sleep-related risks and enhance physician well-being. Keywords: sleep quality, PSQI, physicians, Saudi Arabia, shift work

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