Abstract:Background: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) may be defined as the reduced ability to stay awake and alert during normal daytime hours, resulting in lapses of sleepiness or sleep. Medical students are especially vulnerable to EDS due to the huge academic burden they are subjected to.
Aims and objectives: The present study was aimed at determining the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness among medical undergraduates.
Materials and methods: This study was a cross sectional descriptive study conducted in the department of physiology, Vinayaka Missions medical college and hospital, Karaikal. The study procedure was explained to the students and written informed consent was obtained. “Epworth sleepiness scale†(ESS) was used to diagnose EDS.
Results: A total of 94 participants were included in the study. 42 were male and 52 were female participants. Out of 94 participants, 35(37.23%) were found to have day time sleepiness. Further, among the participants who had day time sleepiness, male were found to be predominant which accounted for 21.28% followed by female participants (15.96%).
Conclusion: There is a need to educate the students about sleep hygiene practices through educational sessions and workshops conducted by experts.