People in rural areas experience poorer sleep than those in more developed settings, according to a new study in Benin that challenges the long-held assumption that modern lifestyles are the primary cause of sleep deprivation.
The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Africa and known as the Benin Society and Sleep (BeSAS) study, examined over 2,900 adults from both rural and urban communities. It aimed to understand how living environments influence sleep patterns, insomnia, and daily activity rhythms in a rapidly urbanising region of West Africa.
Contrary to common assumptions—that urban life, often associated with noise, artificial lighting, and heavy use of digital devices, leads to worse sleep—the study found that rural residents reported more sleep problems.
“Poor sleep quality was more frequent in rural than urban residents,” the study says.
The study also revealed that rural participants tended to sleep slightly longer than those in urban areas. However, this longer sleep duration did not translate into better rest. Researchers noted that rural dwellers often described their sleep as less refreshing, pointing to a gap between how long people sleep and how well they actually feel after sleeping.
Experts suggest that environmental and living conditions may explain this pattern. Many rural households face challenges such as heat, overcrowding, noise, and limited access to comfortable sleeping arrangements. These factors can disrupt sleep quality even in the absence of modern technological distractions.
The study further found that rural residents were more likely to follow natural daily rhythms, waking up earlier and maintaining stronger day–night activity patterns. Despite this, their overall sleep experience remained poorer.
As the study explains, “rural residence was associated with poorer subjective sleep despite longer sleep.”
The findings are particularly important for countries across Africa, where both rural and urban lifestyles coexist. The authors suggest that improving sleep health requires more than simply reducing exposure to modern technology. Instead, attention must be given to basic living conditions and environmental factors that directly affect comfort and rest.
The study authors say policymakers should consider investing in better housing, reducing environmental disturbances, and promoting awareness about healthy sleep practices. As noted by the researchers, “environmental hardship and living conditions are critical determinants of sleep health,” reinforcing the need for targeted interventions.
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