Multidimensional sleep health assessment in West African adults revealed a moderate average overall score of 12.2 (SD = 3.2), with little variation across sex, settlement type, or education.
Cross-Sectional (n=245)
Yes
West African adults report moderate multidimensional sleep health, with difficulties in maintaining consistent, uninterrupted sleep and adequate sleep duration.
Abstract Introduction Sleep research in Africa remains limited, with few studies using multidimensional assessments. Understanding sleep as a multidimensional construct is essential for identifying population-level sleep patterns and informing intervention strategies. This study examined multidimensional sleep health among adults in five West African countries and explored variations by key sociodemographic factors. Methods Adults (N = 245; Mean age = 24.2 years, SD = 6.0) from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, The Gambia, and Liberia completed an online survey. Multidimensional sleep health was assessed using the RU-SATED questionnaire v4 (range: 0–24), measuring regularity, satisfaction, alertness, timing, efficiency, and duration. Characteristics of the sleep environment (physical comfort, temperature, noise, darkness) were measured using items from the Sleep Practices and Attitudes Questionnaire. Participants reported sex (55% male), settlement type (61% urban), and education (42% high school, 48% bachelor’s degree, 8% postgraduate). Nocturnal sleep duration was self-reported. Descriptive statistics and mean comparisons examined sleep patterns across sociodemographic groups. Results Average overall sleep health was 12.2 (SD = 3.2), indicating moderate sleep health. Efficiency (M = 1.9, SD = 1.1) and duration (M = 2.0, SD = 1.1) showed the lowest scores. Timing (M = 2.0, SD = 1.1), alertness (M = 2.1, SD = 1.2), regularity (M = 2.0, SD = 0.9), and satisfaction (M = 2.2, SD = 1.0) were moderately rated. Sleep health varied little across sex (males: M = 12.3; females: M = 12.0), settlement type (rural: M = 12.3; urban: M = 12.1), or education (range: M = 11.3–12.4). Sleep environment characteristics were generally favorable (M = 3.1–4.2 on a 5-point scale). The average sleep duration was 6.1 hours (SD = 2.1). Conclusion This study provides initial evidence on multidimensional sleep health in West Africa, revealing moderate sleep health despite overall supportive sleep environments. Difficulties maintaining consistent, uninterrupted sleep and sleep duration emerged as key targets to consider for future intervention. Future research should examine how sociodemographic and broader biopsychosocial factors interact to shape sleep health in this understudied region. Support (if any) None
Olanrewaju et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Sleep health (n=245). Multidimensional sleep health assessment (RU-SATED questionnaire v4) was evaluated on Overall sleep health score (range: 0-24). Multidimensional sleep health assessment in West African adults revealed a moderate average overall score of 12.2 (SD = 3.2), with little variation across sex, settlement type, or education.