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Nigerian sleep study found that children slept less and had more problems than children in other countries

Idowu O Senbanjo1, Mohammed A Salisu1, Kazeem A Oshikoya2

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|March 13, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Nigerian children aged 1-12 years experience shorter sleep durations and more sleep problems, including enuresis and fear of sleeping alone, compared to international peers. These sleep issues were not significantly linked to socio-demographic factors in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Sleep patterns and problems significantly impact child development and well-being.
  • Understanding sleep characteristics in diverse populations is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate sleep patterns, sleep problems, and their association with socio-demographic factors in Nigerian children.
  • To compare the sleep duration and prevalence of sleep disorders among Nigerian children with international data.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective hospital-based study was conducted with 432 children (aged 1-12 years) at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
  • Data on socio-demographics, sleep patterns (including naps), and specific sleep disorders were collected.
  • Statistical analyses were performed to assess age and gender differences, and associations with socio-demographic characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Night sleep duration decreased significantly with age.
  • The most prevalent sleep problems were enuresis (42%), fear of sleeping alone (38%), snoring (28%), and sleep talking (24%).
  • Nigerian children exhibited shorter sleep durations and a higher prevalence of sleep disorders compared to international cohorts.

Conclusions:

  • Nigerian children experience diminished sleep duration and increased sleep problems relative to international benchmarks.
  • Further research is needed to explore the underlying causes and develop effective interventions for pediatric sleep issues in Nigeria.
Abstract

Keywords:
NigeriaNight sleep timeRise timeSleep disordersSleep duration

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