Abstract

Background: Stressful life events may lead to insomnia, a very common sleep disorder.

Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to study the correlation of perceived stress levels and sleep quality among physicians during the coronavirus disease-19 Pandemic.

Materials and Methods: Physicians working in Burdwan Medical College were selected as a study group and age, sex-matched controls were selected from other non-medical workers. This online survey was conducted using Google Forms. The form was shared with participants using emails and WhatsApp. In the first section of the form the importance of the study was explained and informed consent was taken from the participants. In the second part of the form, subjects were asked to fill up demographic details and relevant history; in the third part, participants were asked to fill up two scales: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Results: 128 doctors and 114 other staff participated in the present study. Doctors had significantly higher PSS and PSQI levels as compared to the other group. Doctors’ PSQI: Mean ± SD = 7.59 ± 4.37 and other staff PSQI: Mean ± SD = 5.77 ± 2.75; P: 0.00013**. Doctors’ PSS: 18.43 ± 4.04 and other staff PSS: 15.14 ± 1.7; P < 0.0001**. PSS and PSQI levels were positively correlated in both groups with r values of 0.975 for Doctors and 0.544 for other staff, respectively.

Conclusions: Doctors were found to have higher PSS and PSQI levels as compared to the control group. PSS levels were found to be positively correlated with PSQI levels and more so among doctors.

Key words: Doctors; Perceived Stress; Insomnia; Pandemic