Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Medicine

Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Medicine

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study among Medical Students

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Basavaraju TJ
Mohan J
Shalini K
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore, India.
10.22038/jctm.2025.89822.1498
Abstract
Introduction: Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) affect millions globally and are associated with serious health complications such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and impaired cognitive function. Early recognition and management are crucial in reducing the burden. However, knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding sleep related breathing disorders among medical students remain understudied.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 250 medical students (1st to 4th year) between June and September 2024. A validated semi-structured questionnaire was used to assess the participants' knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning SRBD. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were employed for data analysis.
Results: The majority of participants were between 21-30 years of age (77.2%), with a slight female predominance (52.8%). The study revealed that 62.4% had limited knowledge of sleep-related breathing disorders, while 24.8% were well-informed. Knowledge about SRBD’s consequences, diagnostic methods, and treatments was moderate, with 79.6% acknowledging its impact on health. In the attitude domain, 54.0% of students would seek medical help if experiencing Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) symptoms, and 52.0% were likely to undergo polysomnography. However, 66.0% had never discussed sleep-related concerns with healthcare professionals. In terms of practice, 71.6% did not engage in habits that could exacerbate SRBD, and 50.8% prioritized sleep regularly. The mean knowledge score was 10.74 ± 3.999, attitude score was 6.71 ± 2.681, and practice score was 3.40 ± 1.996.
Conclusions: Medical students demonstrated moderate knowledge and generally positive attitudes towards SRBD, but their practices concerning sleep health were insufficient. The findings highlight the need for improved education and training in sleep medicine to enhance early detection and management of SRBD. Further studies with broader samples are recommended to validate these findings and improve the generalizability of the results.
Keywords
Attitude
Breathing disorders
Knowledge
Medical Students
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Practice
Sleep
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Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Medicine
Volume 13, Issue 3
Summer 2025
Pages 1562-1570