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 Badara Faye; Kadiatou Diallo; Ibrahima Diouf; Lamine Diop; Mbaye Sène; El Hadji Makhtar Ba

doi:doi:10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12

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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 Badara Faye, Kadiatou Diallo, Ibrahima Diouf, Lamine Diop, Mbaye Sène, El Hadji Makhtar Ba

Published in Advances in Applied Physiology (Volume 11, Issue 2)

Received: 30 September 2026 Accepted: 15 October 2026 Published: 29 October 2026

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Abstract

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.

Published in	Advances in Applied Physiology (Volume 11, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12
Page(s)	26-36
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Sleep Quality, Health Sciences Students, Screen Time, Anxiety, Depression, Senegal

References

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Ba, F., Guene, A., Faye, A. B., Diallo, K., Diouf, I., et al. (2026). Sleep Quality and Associated Factors Among Health Sciences Students at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Senegal: A Cross-Sectional Study. Advances in Applied Physiology, 11(2), 26-36. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12

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Ba, F.; Guene, A.; Faye, A. B.; Diallo, K.; Diouf, I., et al. Sleep Quality and Associated Factors Among Health Sciences Students at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Senegal: A Cross-Sectional Study. Adv. Appl. Physiol. 2026, 11(2), 26-36. doi: 10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12

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AMA Style

Ba F, Guene A, Faye AB, Diallo K, Diouf I, et al. Sleep Quality and Associated Factors Among Health Sciences Students at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Senegal: A Cross-Sectional Study. Adv Appl Physiol. 2026;11(2):26-36. doi: 10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12

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@article{10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12,
  author = {Fatoumata Ba and Abibatou Guene and Alioune Badara Faye and Kadiatou Diallo and Ibrahima Diouf and Lamine Diop and Mbaye Sène and El Hadji Makhtar Ba},
  title = {Sleep Quality and Associated Factors Among Health Sciences Students at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Senegal: A Cross-Sectional Study},
  journal = {Advances in Applied Physiology},
  volume = {11},
  number = {2},
  pages = {26-36},
  doi = {10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.aap.20261102.12},
  abstract = {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.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Sleep Quality and Associated Factors Among Health Sciences Students at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Senegal: A Cross-Sectional Study
AU  - Fatoumata Ba
AU  - Abibatou Guene
AU  - Alioune Badara Faye
AU  - Kadiatou Diallo
AU  - Ibrahima Diouf
AU  - Lamine Diop
AU  - Mbaye Sène
AU  - El Hadji Makhtar Ba
Y1  - 2026/10/29
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12
T2  - Advances in Applied Physiology
JF  - Advances in Applied Physiology
JO  - Advances in Applied Physiology
SP  - 26
EP  - 36
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2471-9714
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12
AB  - 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.
VL  - 11
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Fatoumata Ba

Laboratory of Physiology and Functional Explorations, University Gaston Berger, Saint-Louis, Senegal

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0006-2396-1922
Abibatou Guene

Department of Neuropsychiatry, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal
Alioune Badara Faye

Laboratory of Physiology and Functional Explorations, University Gaston Berger, Saint-Louis, Senegal
Kadiatou Diallo

Department of Neuropsychiatry, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal
Ibrahima Diouf

Laboratory of Physiology and Functional Explorations, University Assane Seck, Ziguinchor, Senegal
Lamine Diop

Laboratory of Physiology and Functional Explorations, University Gaston Berger, Saint-Louis, Senegal
Mbaye Sène

Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Physiology, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal
El Hadji Makhtar Ba

Department of Neuropsychiatry, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal

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Ba, F., Guene, A., Faye, A. B., Diallo, K., Diouf, I., et al. (2026). Sleep Quality and Associated Factors Among Health Sciences Students at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Senegal: A Cross-Sectional Study. Advances in Applied Physiology, 11(2), 26-36. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12

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Ba, F.; Guene, A.; Faye, A. B.; Diallo, K.; Diouf, I., et al. Sleep Quality and Associated Factors Among Health Sciences Students at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Senegal: A Cross-Sectional Study. Adv. Appl. Physiol. 2026, 11(2), 26-36. doi: 10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12

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AMA Style

Ba F, Guene A, Faye AB, Diallo K, Diouf I, et al. Sleep Quality and Associated Factors Among Health Sciences Students at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Senegal: A Cross-Sectional Study. Adv Appl Physiol. 2026;11(2):26-36. doi: 10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12

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@article{10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12,
  author = {Fatoumata Ba and Abibatou Guene and Alioune Badara Faye and Kadiatou Diallo and Ibrahima Diouf and Lamine Diop and Mbaye Sène and El Hadji Makhtar Ba},
  title = {Sleep Quality and Associated Factors Among Health Sciences Students at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Senegal: A Cross-Sectional Study},
  journal = {Advances in Applied Physiology},
  volume = {11},
  number = {2},
  pages = {26-36},
  doi = {10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.aap.20261102.12},
  abstract = {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.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Sleep Quality and Associated Factors Among Health Sciences Students at Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Senegal: A Cross-Sectional Study
AU  - Fatoumata Ba
AU  - Abibatou Guene
AU  - Alioune Badara Faye
AU  - Kadiatou Diallo
AU  - Ibrahima Diouf
AU  - Lamine Diop
AU  - Mbaye Sène
AU  - El Hadji Makhtar Ba
Y1  - 2026/10/29
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12
T2  - Advances in Applied Physiology
JF  - Advances in Applied Physiology
JO  - Advances in Applied Physiology
SP  - 26
EP  - 36
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2471-9714
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aap.20261102.12
AB  - 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.
VL  - 11
IS  - 2
ER  -

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