Quality of sleep and perceived stress among nurses during COVID 19 critical illness

INTRODUCTION: Adequate sleep protects the mental and physical health of individuals while boosting brain and body functions. Significant lifestyle changes due to COVID 19 can affect the sleep quality and level of stress among nurses. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between sleep quality and perceived stress among nurses during this COVID 19 outbreak. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 292 registered nurses in Sri Lanka through an anonymous online survey. Data were collected using self-administered, structured questionnaire that included Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). SPSS 25 software (version 25) was used for data analysis. RESULTS: The majority (79.8%) were between 26-35 years and females (93.5%). Among all participants, the average hours of sleep per night was 5.50 (±1.07). The results of the PSQI scale revealed that 78.4 % of nurses had poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5points), while 67.1% of nurses had moderate level of perceived stress according to the PSS scale. Pearson’s coefficient correlation demonstrated that, as nurses’ sleep quality decreased, stress level of the nurses increased moderately (r=0.53). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of nurses had poor sleep quality and moderate stress. Furthermore, it showed that there is a moderate positive correlation (r=0.53) between the PSQI global score and the perceived stress scale score.