Exploring the impact of sleep knowledge on nurses’ psychological and physiological health: a descriptive study

Introduction: sleep plays a crucial role in nurses’ psychological and physiological well-being, yet heavy workloads and stress may compromise sleep quality. Understanding sleep disorders and their impact is essential for nurses’ well-being and patient care. Objetive: to assess nurses’ knowledge of sleep and its influence on sleep quality, stress levels, and patient care outcomes. Method: a cross-sectional study was conducted in three governmental hospitals: Damietta General Hospital, Cairo University Hospital, and Zagazig University Hospital. A stratified random sample of 246 nurses was selected using the G*Power program. Validated tools included the Knowledge of Sleep Disorders Scale (KSDS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation. Results: Nurses demonstrated moderate sleep knowledge (KSDS = 70,33±9,70) but poor sleep quality (PSQI = 9,8±1,11). Moderate daytime sleepiness was observed (ESS = 6,0±3,2), with moderate to severe insomnia (ISI = 21,9±1,36). Psychological distress levels were moderate (HADS anxiety = 7,2±3,2; depression = 5,8±3,1). Higher sleep knowledge correlated with better sleep outcomes. Conclusions: despite moderate knowledge of sleep disorders, nurses experience poor sleep quality, insomnia, and psychological distress. Knowledge alone is insufficient to improve sleep outcomes; targeted interventions and workplace support systems are essential to mitigate sleep disturbances and stress among nurses, ultimately enhancing both their well-being and patient care quality.