Socio Behavioral Factors Associated with Nocturnal Enuresis among Primary School Children in Abo Homous, Elbehira, Egypt

Background: Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is intermittent urinary incontinence during sleep at children aged five years old or more after exclusion of organic diseases. NE has a negative impact on life quality of children and their families. The aim of this work was to find out the prevalence of nocturnal enuresis and its socio-behavioral risk factors among primary school children in Abo Homous, Elbehira, Egypt.

Methods: This cross sectional study was carried-out in Abo Homos, Elbehira governorate. It included (106) primary schools with total number of (65,045) students distributed over 52 urban and 54 rural schools. Data were collected via a predesigned self-administered questionnaire sheet; part 1: Questions related to students as [Age, gender, demographic and student characteristics, student’s diseases], part 2 [Questions to assess familial factors] and part 3 [Question to assess criteria of NE in the studied population].

Results: The prevalence of nocturnal enuresis was 13.9%. Nocturnal enuresis was observed more in younger age groups of 6 and 7 years 23.2% & 21.2% respectively. There was no statistically significant association as regard age, gender or residence. Urinary tract infection, constipation, and caffeine beverages consumption significantly associated with NE. Family history of NE was positive in 29.1% of cases. Deep sleep and exposure to school or home (problems/violence) related significantly with occurrence of NE. Level of education and work status of parents, number of persons per room, and socioeconomic status significantly associated with occurrence of NE.

Conclusions: Prevalence of nocturnal enuresis is significantly associated with younger age, urinary tract infection, constipation, and caffeine beverages consumption, deep sleep, exposure to school or home (problems/violence), level of education and work status of parents, number of persons per room, and socioeconomic status.