Prevalence of Sleep Disorders among Primary School Children

Abstract

Introduction: Aim: Prevalence of sleep disorders among primary school children. Methods: Five hundred eighty school children age ranged 8- 14 years of either gender were selected. Childhood sleep habit questionnaire (CSHQ) was used for recording sleep disorders. The responses are categorized on a three- point Likerts scale Usually, sometimes and rarely. Results: Age group 8-10 years comprised of 110 boys and 140 girls and age group 11-14 years had 90 boys and 240 girls. In age group 8-10 years, 24 (9.6%) and in age group 11-14 years had 40 (2.1%) sleep disorders. Overall prevalence found to be 11%. Various parasomnia activities recorded were bedwetting in 32, teeth grinding in 12, sleep talking in 4, night terrors in 10, sleep walking in 2 and bad dreams in 4. Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea was snoring seen in 45%, sleeps on stomach in 10%, wakes up to get breathe in 6%, stop breathing during sleep in 19%, sweats at night in 8% and drools saliva on pillow in 12%. A significant difference was observed (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Symptoms of sleep disorders were prevalent among primary school children. Common disorders were parasomnia and obstructive sleep apnea.