Self-rated health is one of the most frequently used health indicators in health research, but there have been very few studies on this topic in sub-Saharan Africa, and none in Senegal on the population in general. The aim of this study was therefore to analyze the determinants of self-rated health in Dakar, taking socio-demographic factors, social relationships and the physical and mental health status of each individual into account. The study was conducted with a sample of 600 adults 20 years of age and over living in the Senegalese capital. The sample was constructed using the quota method for maximum representativeness. The results of our bivariate and multivariate analyses showed that self-rated health was a good indicator of the physical and mental health status of Dakar’s inhabitants, and an appropriate tool to assess social inequalities in health. However, a genderbased analysis brought out major differences between men and women. These results were discussed from an anthropobiological perspective for purposes of comparison between men and women, with particular attention given to the cultural dimension of subjective health.