Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of insomnia and anxiety and to examine their association among undergraduate Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students affiliated with Khyber Medical University, Peshawar.
Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted.
Place and duration of study: The study was conducted at the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IPM&R), Rehman Medical Institute (RMI), and Mehboob Medical Institute (MMI).
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 258 DPT students selected through non-probability convenience sampling from the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IPM&R), Rehman Medical Institute (RMI), and Mehboob Medical Institute (MMI). Data were analyzed to determine the distribution of insomnia and anxiety severity levels and to assess their association.
Results: Of the 258 participants, 74 (28.7%) were male and 184 (71.3%) were female. Sub-threshold insomnia was the most prevalent category (39.9%), followed by moderate clinical insomnia (28.7%), no insomnia (27.1%), and severe insomnia (4.3%). Regarding anxiety, 28.7% of participants reported moderate anxiety, 27.1% mild anxiety, 22.9% minimal anxiety, and 21.3% severe anxiety. A statistically significant linear association was observed between insomnia severity and anxiety levels (p = .000), indicating that higher insomnia severity was associated with greater anxiety severity. Female participants demonstrated higher prevalence rates of both insomnia and anxiety across all severity categories. Institutional analysis revealed that sub-threshold and moderate insomnia were more frequently reported among students from IPM&R and RMI.
Conclusion: Insomnia and anxiety are highly prevalent among undergraduate DPT students, with sub-threshold insomnia being the most common form. The findings demonstrate a significant positive association between insomnia severity and anxiety levels. Early identification and targeted interventions are recommended to reduce the psychological burden and improve academic performance among university students.
Keywords: Anxiety, Insomnia, Undergraduate Students of Doctor of Physical Therapy
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