0305 Evaluating Multidimensional Sleep Health in West African Adults

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

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
SLEEP
Published
2026-05-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsag091.0305
Primary Topic
Sleep and related disorders
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

0305 Evaluating Multidimensional Sleep Health in West African Adults

Leah Irish, Jesujoba Olanrewaju
SLEEP
Sleep and related disorders
article

0305 Evaluating Multidimensional Sleep Health in West African Adults

Leah Irish, Jesujoba Olanrewaju
article en

Abstract

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

SLEEPVol. 49(Supplement_1)
Dakota State University (US), North Dakota State University (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 7%
Sleep and related disorders
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.