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Sleep Knowledge and Perception of Health Care Professional Students in a Faith Based Health Institution

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A1504 - Sleep Knowledge and Perception of Health Care Professional Students in a Faith Based Health Institution
Author Block: A. Alismail1, I. Sari1, P. Casillas1, T. Dinkfeld2; 1Cardiopulmonary Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States, 2Department of Social Work and Social Ecology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.
Introduction: Sleep education and awareness is often an overlooked subject in academic arenas, including many healthcare education programs. Therefore, sleep awareness is not at an adequate level to the general public and healthcare students in particular. With the lack of formal sleep education within health care programs, many students rely on cultural myths, media and religious beliefs for much of their sleep knowledge. The purpose of this study is to measure current perceptions and sleep knowledge of students enrolled in a faith-based health institution. Methods: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Loma Linda University (LLU). Participants were students who are currently enrolled in any allied health profession program. Survey questionnaire was designed to cover demographic variables, sleep hygiene, sleep myths, Epworth Sleepiness Scale(ESS), and a comment section where students share any cultural or religious beliefs they have regarding sleep. Results: A total of N=127 students participated in this study, male n=22(17%) female n=105 (82.7%) from 19 different professions. Most respondents were graduate students (68.5%) vs 27.6% of undergraduate. The mean age was (27.2 ±6.6) with a mean GPA of 3.68 ± 0.29 and 8.0 ± 3.73 for ESS. 52.8% of the respondents were unemployed vs 41.7% employed with mean of 21.6 ± 13.79 hours/week. There was a negative correlation between ESS and GPA (r= -0.165, p=0.09). Furthermore, 46.8% answered that sleep deprivation is not related to depression, 13.7% of the respondents believe snoring is normal, 10.3% stated sleep apnea was not related to high blood pressure, and 45.2% agreed to catch up on sleep over the weekend. Students who took a formal sleep education courses had better sleep knowledge than others. Results of the qualitative analysis showed a vast majority of students in agreement that it is impossible to get enough hours of sleep and rest while in school. Most agreed that sleep is important for their lives. Conclusion:. The results of this preliminary ongoing study shows that some respondents still believe in sleep related myths. Having sleep knowledge as part of healthcare programs curriculum is critical for students own sleep health which will reflect on their professional life. Future research is recommended to address how adding sleep as part of the healthcare program curriculum will help students academic performance.
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