Prevalence of Insomnia and Daytime Sleepiness among Healthcare Professionals: A Cross-sectional Study

  • Eugenia de Casia García García Occupational Health Nursing Resident, Occupational Health, Occupational Risk Prevention Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Álvaro Martos López Occupational Health Nursing Resident, Occupational Health, Occupational Risk Prevention Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Sebastiana Quesada Fuentes Occupational Health Nursing, Occupational Health, Occupational Risk Prevention Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Pilar Sanz Sancho Occupational Health Nursing, Occupational Health, Occupational Risk Prevention Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Lidia Álvarez López Occupational Health Nursing, Occupational Health, Occupational Risk Prevention Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
  • Rocío Villar Vinuesa Occupational Health Medicine, Occupational Health, Occupational Risk Prevention Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Keywords: Health Personnel;Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders;Sleep Hygiene; Surveillance of the Workers Health;Occupational Health.

Abstract

Objectives: To analyse the prevalence of insomnia and daytime sleepiness among healthcare professionals working at a tertiary-level hospital in Barcelona. 

Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous survey administered to healthcare professionals at Hospital Clínic of Barcelona between January and April 2025. The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI; range 0–28) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS; range 0–24) were applied, together with sociodemographic variables (age, sex, work shift, and professional category). Frequencies were calculated and comparisons between groups were performed. 

Results: A total of 154 complete questionnaires were analysed. The sample was predominantly female (81.8%), with the most frequent age group being 41–50 years (33.8%). The overall prevalence of insomnia was 83.8% (45.5% mild, 33.8% moderate, and 4.5% severe). Insomnia prevalence was higher among men than women (89.3% vs 82.5%), although this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.381). Insomnia was more frequent in participants aged <50 years compared with those aged ≥50 years (88.6% vs 77.3%;p=0.058), with no significant differences according to work shift. Pathological daytime sleepiness was observed in 41.6% of participants and was slightly more frequent in women (42.9% vs 35.7%;p=0.488). Daytime sleepiness was more prevalent among participants aged ≥50 years (45.5% vs 38.6%), with significantly higher mean ESS scores (10.23 ± 4.24 vs 8.76 ± 4.94;p=0.025). 

Conclusions: This study reveals a high prevalence of insomnia and daytime sleepiness among healthcare professionals, reinforcing the need to implement specific strategies for the detection, prevention, and promotion of sleep health within the hospital setting. 

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Published
2026-03-31