ASSESSMENT OF SLEEP QUALITY AND ANXIETY IN HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENTS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Introduction: In the COVID-19 pandemic, the progressive development of anxiety symptoms and poor sleep quality should be investigated in healthcare professionals and students for proper management. Objective: To identify the prevalence of sleep problems and anxious symptoms in healthcare professionals and students, and to analyze the effect of sociodemographic-clinical variables on anxiety and sleep in this population. Methodology: In this cross-sectional quantitative study we applied an online form to 3,337 health professionals and students from Brazil participating in a virtual congress, containing 51 questions divided into three categories: Sociodemographic-clinical profile, Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS) and BECK Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Results: Among the participants, 81.4% were healthcare students and 12.8% were healthcare professionals. Findings indicated that 41% of participants had very frequent sleep problems and 46.6% had moderate to severe anxiety. There was a statistically significant association between the sociodemographic-clinical variables and the validated sleep and anxiety questionnaires. Conclusion: This research identified an important prevalence of sleep problems and anxious symptoms in healthcare professionals and students, being primordial the early identification of these alterations for an effective management. 

Key words: COVID-19. Sleep quality. Anxiety. Health Personnel. Students, Health Occupations.