Published in PLOS One on 2026-09-28, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. Health Signal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Oluwatosin Eunice Olorunmoteni, Biliamin O Popoola, Jeremiah Oluwatomi I Daniel, Phelokazi Dlepu, Francesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé, Omobolanle V Olubowale, Adesegun O Fatusi, Karine Scheuermaier
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0353671
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
Sleep health in adolescence is a global public health concern. However, limited studies on adolescent sleep health in Africa exist, and the extent of the available literature on the African continent has not been previously mapped. This review aimed to map the studies on adolescent sleep health in Africa with a focus on the geographical distribution, publication trends, pattern of sleep health measures, prevalence of sleep disorders, the barriers and facilitators to good sleep health, rural-urban disparities, as well as the associations of sleep health with mental health, school schedule and cardio-metabolic risk among the adolescents. All published articles on adolescent sleep health in Africa in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian languages were to be included. We conducted a scoping review by searching five databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), CINAHL (via EBSCOHost), PsycINFO (via EBSCOHost), Scopus, and the African Journal Online (AJOL), from the inception of the databases to January 2025. As previously highlighted in our published protocol, we used the JBI methodology for the scoping review. After screening 921 titles and abstracts and 78 full-text articles, we included 43 articles. There has been an increasing number of studies on adolescent sleep in Africa in the past 25 years. Cross-sectional studies were the most frequent design (67.4%). Most studies focused on sleep quantity and quality, with small sample sizes and scanty evidence on other aspects of sleep health. Inadequate weekday sleep duration was common among adolescents, often compensated by longer weekend sleep durations. Screen use at bedtime, sleeping environment, school schedules, and chronic medical conditions were the major risk factors for sleep disturbances. Poor sleep was associated with poor academic performance, depression, anxiety, and adverse cardiometabolic risk. This review shows a lack of studies on the multidimensional aspects of sleep health and the need for more objective sleep measures to better characterise the sleep health of adolescents in Africa. Larger studies with longitudinal and mixed-method designs are needed to drive the planning and execution of interventions to improve sleep health among African adolescents.
Introduction
Sleep health is an important concept and a component of health across all ages globally. Understanding sleep health as a multidimensional pattern of sleep-wakefulness tailored to individual, social, and environmental demands is critical in promoting physical and mental well-being. According to Buysse [1], sleep health is not only about the absence of sleep disorders but involves subjective satisfaction, appropriate timing, adequate duration, high efficiency, and sustained alertness during waking hours. Over time, sleep health has evolved from being perceived as a consequence of ill health to a critical determinant of health outcomes, influencing various physical and mental conditions [1–4]. Hence, it is necessary to study sleep health across all ages to ensure the well-being of the entire population.
Reading this evidence
Use the full paper to check the study design, participant selection, comparator and outcome definitions before drawing a practical conclusion. An association does not by itself show cause and effect. A reported performance measure needs its denominator and uncertainty. A finding from a particular facility, sample or time period should retain that scope when it is discussed elsewhere.
This briefing makes the source accessible within the wider public health desk. It does not assess an individual patient or certify a product. When considering relevance to another health system, examine the original authors’ account of context and limitations, then seek local implementation evidence. The related reporting below provides other studies to read alongside this one; it is a topic connection, rather than a claim that their results are directly comparable.
© 2026 Oluwatosin Eunice Olorunmoteni, Biliamin O Popoola, Jeremiah Oluwatomi I Daniel, Phelokazi Dlepu, Francesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé, Omobolanle V Olubowale, Adesegun O Fatusi, Karine Scheuermaier. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by Health Signal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of Health Signal’s staff.
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