DOI: 10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12 ISSN: 2471-9714

Sleep Quality and Associated Factors Among Health Sciences Students at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Senegal: A Cross-Sectional Study

Fatoumata Ba, Abibatou Guene, Alioune Faye, Kadiatou Diallo, Ibrahima Diouf, Lamine Diop, Mbaye Sène, El Ba
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Background: Sleep plays essential homeostatic, restorative, cognitive and psychological roles, and health sciences students, who face intense academic pressure and early exposure to clinical responsibilities, are particularly vulnerable to poor sleep quality. Objectives: To assess sleep quality among health sciences students of Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (Senegal) and to determine the sociodemographic, behavioural and psychological factors associated with it. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted from May to June 2026 among 333 students (medicine, pharmacy and dental surgery) of the Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Senegal, recruited by convenience sampling. Data were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire assessing sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), anxiety and depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS), well-being (adapted WHO-5 Well-Being Index) and physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form, IPAQ-SF). Factors associated with poor sleep quality were examined using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Participants' mean age was 22.8 years, with 52.9% women and 79.3% medical students. Poor sleep quality (PSQI >5) was found in 62.5% of students; mean sleep duration was 6.2 h and 68.2% slept less than 7 hours per night. In multivariable analysis, poor sleep quality was independently associated with screen time before bedtime (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.06, 95% CI 1.39–6.75 for 1–2 h and aOR 2.31, 95% CI 1.06–5.03 for >2 h, versus <30 min), anxiety symptoms (aOR 2.17, 95% CI 1.23–3.81) and low well-being (aOR 2.80, 95% CI 1.47–5.33). Depressive symptoms were associated with poor sleep quality in bivariate analysis but not after adjustment for well-being. Sex, coffee consumption and physical activity level were not independently associated. Conclusion: Poor sleep quality was common among health sciences students in this faculty and was associated with longer pre-sleep screen exposure, anxiety symptoms and low psychological well-being. Given the cross-sectional design, the direction of these associations cannot be established. These findings support preventive strategies, such as sleep hygiene psychoeducation and early screening for psychological distress in university settings.

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