Sleep knowledge, training, and clinical practices among healthcare professionals in a tertiary hospital in Nepal

Problem considered Adequate sleep knowledge among healthcare professionals is crucial for the assessment and management of pediatric sleep issues. However, there is limited research on sleep literacy among health professionals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Nepal. |To assess the level of pediatric sleep knowledge, sleep training, and clinical practices among health care professionals in Nepal. Methods A cross-sectional pediatric sleep survey was conducted at a tertiary-level general hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal (N=83), utilizing the Sleep Knowledge Questionnaire (SKQ) and Pediatric Sleep Survey. Additional questions assessed sleep education and clinical practices related to sleep screening and interventions. Results Healthcare professionals reported minimal formal education on sleep, with most receiving fewer than 10 hours of training. Only 23.5% felt adequately prepared for clinical practice. The average correct response rate on the SKQ was 48.5%, indicating moderate sleep literacy. Sleep screening was inconsistent across age groups and least frequent for infants, with many professionals (49.2%) citing lack of knowledge as a key barrier. Additionally, 47.7% assumed parents would report concerns, contributing to low screening rates. While behavioral strategies were preferred over pharmacological treatments, sleep-related interventions were infrequent, with massage therapy (100%) being the most recommended. Conclusions This study highlights significant gaps in pediatric sleep knowledge and clinical preparedness among healthcare professionals in Nepal. Increased sleep education and training programs are necessary to enhance the identification and management of pediatric sleep disorders in LMIC settings.