Self-medication for sleep problems in university students: a more concerning issue for medical students

Background: Sleep deprivation is a significant issue among university students. Self-medication is frequently reported among medical students. There is limited information from Türkiye and globally regarding self-medication for sleep issues among students. Objective: This study aimed to determine sleep quality, self-medication with prescription sleep aids, and associated factors in a group of university students. Method: This descriptive study was conducted with 437 participants, including 286 medical students and 151 non-medical university students. A sociodemographic and insomnia coping strategies questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to collect data after participants provided their informed consent. Results: More than half of the students (52%) had poor sleep quality, with medical students showing poorer sleep quality (57% vs. 43%, p=0.004). The use of prescription sleep medications for self-medication was significantly higher among medical students (12.2% vs. 4%, p = 0.005). Independent risk factors for self-medication included male sex (OR = 2.6, CI95% 1.26-5.4), medical education (OR = 4.25, CI95% 1.64-11), history of psychotropic drug use (OR = 2.9, CI95% 1.22-7.14), living in a dormitory (OR = 3.87, CI 95% 1.79-8.33), and higher BAI scores (OR = 1.08, CI 95% 1.04-1.12). Conclusion: This study highlights the significant prevalence of poor sleep quality among university students. Male sex, a history of psychotropic drug use, dormitory living, and higher anxiety levels were identified as independent risk factors for self-medication. Our results emphasize the need for targeted interventions to address sleep disorders and reduce the reliance on self-medication practices among university students.