Physiologically relevant real-world light exposure and its behavioural and environmental determinants in Kumasi, Ghana

Journal article

Light plays a significant role in human physiology and behaviour, influencing sleep, mood, alertness and overall health. Yet light exposure remains a neglected determinant of health, with most evidence coming from high-income countries. This data note presents a dataset collected in Kumasi, Ghana, between October 2024 and February 2025, containing personal light exposure measured with wearable melanopic light loggers alongside behavioural and environmental factors obtained through self-reports. Fifteen participants (n=8 female, mean±SD age 22.6±1.2 years) wore three ActLumus light-logging devices continuously for seven days, recording light exposure every 10 seconds at the near-corneal plane, chest and wrist. Participants also completed daily questionnaires on sleep, mood and physical activity, as well as structured assessments of their sleep environment and light-related behaviours. This dataset provides the first high-resolution account of daily light exposure in sub-Saharan Africa. By enabling cross-context comparisons, it contributes to understanding the diversity of light environments globally and can inform interventions for sleep health, mental health and chronic disease prevention.

Authors: Agbeshie, GK; Duah Junior, IO; Andoh, AKA; Ampong, J; Mensah, NAO

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Journal: Open Research Europe
• Volume: 5
• Pages: 300
• Publication date: 2025-09-26
• Acceptance date: 2025-09-15
• DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.21304.1
• EISSN: 2732-5121
• ISSN: 2732-5121
• Pmid: 41103615
• Language: English
• Keywords: Wearable Light Loggers; Personal Light Exposure; Africa; Chronobiology; Circadian rhythms; Non-visual Effects Of Light; Wearables; Light-related Behaviour; Sleep