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. 2024 Mar 11:15:1370757.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1370757. eCollection 2024.

Sleep quality and associated factors among university students in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis study

Girum Nakie  1 , Girmaw Medfu Takelle  1 , Gidey Rtbey  1 , Fantahun Andualem  1 , Techilo Tinsae  1 , Mulat Awoke Kassa  2 , Gebresilassie Tadesse  3 , Setegn Fentahun  1 , Yilkal Abebaw Wassie  4 , Tesfaye Segon  5 , Getasew Kibralew  1 , Mamaru Melkam  1
Affiliations

Sleep quality and associated factors among university students in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis study

Girum Nakie et al. Front Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Background: Poor sleep quality significantly impacts academic performance in university students. However, inconsistent and inconclusive results were found in a study on sleep among university students in several African nations. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence and associated factors of poor sleep quality among university students in Africa.

Methods: The databases PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, African Journal Online, and Google Scholar were searched to identify articles. A total of 35 primary articles from 11 African countries were assessed and included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Data were extracted by using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis. The I2 test was used to assess the statistical heterogeneity. A random effect meta-analysis model was employed with 95% confidence intervals. Funnel plots analysis and Egger regression tests were used to check the presence of publication bias. A subgroup analysis and a sensitivity analysis were done.

Results: A total of 16,275 study participants from 35 studies were included in this meta-analysis and systematic review. The overall pooled prevalence of poor sleep quality among university students in Africa was 63.31% (95% CI: 56.91-65.71) I2 = 97.2. The subgroup analysis shows that the combined prevalence of poor sleep quality in East, North, West, and South Africa were 61.31 (95% CI: 56.91-65.71), 62.23 (95% CI: 54.07-70.39), 54.43 (95% CI: 47.39-61.48), and 69.59 (95% CI: 50.39-88.80) respectively. Being stressed (AOR= 2.39; 95% CI: 1.63 to 3.51), second academic year (AOR= 3.10; 95% CI: 2.30 to 4.19), use of the electronic device at bedtime (AOR= 3.97 95% CI: 2.38 to 6.61)) and having a comorbid chronic illness (AOR = 2.71; 95% CI: 1.08, 6.82) were factors significantly associated with poor sleep quality.

Conclusion: This study shows that there is a high prevalence of poor sleep quality among university students in Africa. Being stressed, in the second year, using electronic devices at bedtime, and having chronic illness were factors associated with poor sleep quality. Therefore, addressing contributing factors and implementing routine screenings are essential to reduce the burden of poor sleep quality.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023493140.

Keywords: Africa; meta-analysis; sleep quality; systematic review; university students.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow charts to describe the selection of studies for the systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of poor sleep quality among university students in Africa.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot showing the pooled prevalence of poor sleep quality among university students in Africa.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A funnel plot test of poor sleep quality among university students.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The forest plot shows associated factors of poor sleep quality among university students in Africa.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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