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Electricity loadshedding is associated with poorer self-reported sleep, studying habits, and grades in South African university students

In a cross-sectional survey of 1124 South African university students during 2023, 73% reported that loadshedding affected their sleep, with 80% of those reporting worse sleep. Access to alternative power was associated with nearly 60% reduced odds of worse sleep (OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.32-0.56). Students with worse sleep more often reported a drop in grades (59% vs. 38%, P=0.015).

Last updated: Aug 26, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Hello darkness, my old friend: Electricity loadshedding effects on sleep and studying habits in South African university students.

observational

Davimes JG, Scheuermaier K · Sleep health (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: Not reported (cross-sectional survey during 2023)
Intervention: Not applicable (observational study; exposure was electricity loadshedding and access to alternative power)
Outcome: Self-reported sleep changes (worse sleep, sleep fragmentation, onset latency), studying habits, and grades
Effect Size: OR=0.43 (95% CI: 0.32-0.56) for worse sleep with access to alternative power
Population: South African university students (mean age 22, 72% female) at the University of the Witwatersrand

Result:

PubMed: 42632767DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2026.07.008

Mechanism Graph

Loadshedding removes control over lighting and room temperature
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Backup generator use increases noise pollution
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These disruptions increase sleep fragmentation and onset latency
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Result: poorer sleep quality and academic performance

Limitations

  • ⚠Cross-sectional design prevents causal inference
  • ⚠Self-reported outcomes may be subject to recall bias
  • ⚠Low response rate (3% of university population) may limit generalizability
  • ⚠No objective sleep measures (e.g., actigraphy) were used

Frequently Asked Questions

How did loadshedding affect sleep in South African university students?▼

73% of students reported that loadshedding affected their sleep, with 80% of those reporting worse sleep. The most common disruptions were increased sleep fragmentation (51%) and longer sleep onset latency (32%).

Did access to alternative power reduce the negative impact of loadshedding on sleep?▼

Yes, students with access to alternative power (40% of the sample) had nearly 60% reduced odds of reporting worse sleep (OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.32-0.56), after adjusting for age, sex, degree level, accommodation, ancestry, and faculty.

Was there a link between worse sleep and academic performance?▼

Yes, students who reported worse sleep due to loadshedding were more likely to report a drop in grades (59%) compared to those with no change (38%), with a statistically significant difference (P=0.015).

What are the potential long-term health implications of loadshedding-related sleep disruption?▼

The authors suggest that loadshedding-related sleep disruption may be linked to increased risk for mental and physical health problems, although this was not directly measured in the study.

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References

  1. 1.Davimes JG, Scheuermaier K. "Hello darkness, my old friend: Electricity loadshedding effects on sleep and studying habits in South African university students.." Sleep health, 2026. PMID: 42632767 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2026.07.008
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.