Sleep disturbance among frontline nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

Al Maqbali, Mohammed

The main objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of sleep disturbance and related psychological factors (stress, anxiety and depression) among frontline nurses in Oman during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional and descriptive correlational design using Qualtrics® software was used in this research. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with poor sleep quality. Of the 987 frontline nurses who participated, 58.8% (n = 580) reported poor sleep quality. In an examination of PSQI components the mean sleep duration was 7.04 (SD = 1.59) hours per night, and the sleep latency mean was 38.18 min (SD = 31.81). Poor sleep (p < .05) was significantly associated with age, marital status, years of experience, comorbidity, and whether family members or relatives were suspected or confirmed with having COVID-19. Logistic regression showed that poor quality of sleep was significantly associated with stress, anxiety and depression symptoms. Sleep disturbance is a significant problem for frontline nurses working in Oman during the COVID-19 pandemic. Appropriate interventions to maintain the health conditions and reduce sleep disturbance among frontline nurses are needed in order to help support nurses’ work during contagious disease outbreaks. These can be implemented through online workshops and training to enhance nurses’ responses to the pandemic or to any further disease outbreaks.