The Association Between Irregular Sleep Patterns and Learning Outcomes: Implications for Students’ Health in Iraq

Authors

Hazhmat Ali, Department of Medical Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok 42001, IraqFollow
Dildar Haji Musa, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok 42001, IraqFollow
Ary Habeeb Mohammed, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok 42001, IraqFollow
Hiwa Abdulraheem, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok 42001, IraqFollow
Sherzad Salahadeen, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok 42001, IraqFollow
Alind Mustafa, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok 42001, IraqFollow

ORCID ID

Hazhmat Ali: 0000-0002-2553-8443

Dildar Haji Musa: 0000-0003-4319-9999

Ary Habeeb Mohammed: 0009-0003-2036-1698

Hiwa Abdulraheem: 0009-0009-6671-435X

Sherzad Salahadeen: 0009-0009-7901-6446

Alind Mustafa: 0009-0004-7338-5914

Abstract

Background: Students often exhibit irregular sleep patterns due to rigorous academic workloads, which exert a considerable negative impact on their mental health. The present study aims to investigate the influence of irregular sleep on academic performance.

Methods: This study recruited a cohort of 409 medical students of both genders. Upon their consent, participants filled out a closed-ended questionnaire on various sleep parameters, including sleep habits, duration, and environment.

Results: Students with irregular sleep patterns reported higher rates of sleep deprivation, late sleep onset, and troubled sleep. Moreover, they spent a longer duration using smart devices before bedtime and experienced higher levels of stress. Irregular sleep demonstrated a positive correlation with sleep deprivation, sleep duration, troubled sleep, and the duration of smart device use (p = 0.000), energy drink consumption (p = 0.040), and junk-food intake (p = 0.000). Students exhibited poor academic performance, frequently experienced fatigue, and were unfocused. Irregular sleep was positively correlated with overall academic performance (p = 0.002), fatigue, and focus in class (p = 0.000).

Conclusion: The findings indicate a significant impact of irregular sleep on learning outcomes and mental health among medical students. Thus, effective strategies are critically required to enhance sleep within this population.

References

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Recommended Citation

Ali H, Musa DH, Mohammed AH, Abdulraheem H, Salahadeen S, Mustafa A, et al. The Association Between Irregular Sleep Patterns and Learning Outcomes: Implications for Students’ Health in Iraq. Makara J Health Res. 2025;29.

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