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Prevalence of sleep problems and habits in a sample of Saudi primary school children

Ahmed BaHammam1, Eiad AlFaris, Shaffi Shaikh

  • 1College of Medicine, Sleep Disorders Center, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ashammam2@yahoo.com

Annals of Saudi Medicine
|March 9, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Sleep problems are common in Saudi elementary school children, with daytime fatigue being the most frequent issue. This research highlights the prevalence of various sleep disturbances and daytime napping in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Child Health and Development
  • Cross-cultural Sleep Studies

Background:

  • Sleep problems in children are influenced by age, ethnicity, and sociocultural factors.
  • No prior research had assessed sleep problems in Saudi elementary school children.
  • This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of sleep issues in this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence of specific sleep problems in Saudi elementary school children.
  • To identify common sleep issues and habits within this population.
  • To provide baseline data for future pediatric sleep research in Saudi Arabia.

Main Methods:

  • A survey was conducted with parents or guardians of elementary school children in Saudi Arabia during Spring 1999.
  • Questionnaires collected data on demographics, sleep problems, sleep habits, and home environment.
  • 1012 complete responses were analyzed, including data from 511 boys and 501 girls.

Main Results:

  • Daytime fatigue was the most prevalent sleep problem (37.5%), followed by bedtime resistance (26.2%).
  • Difficulty rising (20.7%) and sleep-onset delay (11.8%) were also common issues.
  • Daytime napping was reported in 40.8% of children, with some gender-based differences noted.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep problems are prevalent among Saudi elementary school children.
  • The study provides insights into sleep habits, including a high prevalence of daytime napping.
  • Findings underscore the need for further research and potential interventions for pediatric sleep issues in Saudi Arabia.
Abstract

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