Sleep quality and sleep disturbances in healthy children in Gaia: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the quality of sleep and estimate the prevalence of sleep disorders in children from two to 10 years old at a health center in the metropolitan area of Porto. Study type: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Child health consultations at a primary health care center in the urban area of Grande Porto ACeS VII – Gaia. Participants: Children aged from 2 to 10 years enrolled in a health center of ACeS Grande PortoVII – Gaia. Methods: The Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ-PT) translated and validated for use in Portuguese, and a questionnaire on individual, social, and family issues, were applied to children between two and 10 years of age, who attended a child health consultation between April and June, 2014. Results: A total of 131 questionnaires were analyzed. The median age was 5 years and 55% of the subjects were in the pre-school age with a predominance of male subjects (53.5%). The Sleep Disturbance Rate (SDR) was higher in pre-school aged children (p <0.032). Using a cut off score of 41, an elevated SDR was found in 80.2% (median 47). A higher SDR was associated with the need for a family member in the bedroom (p=0.005) or in bed (p <0.001) to help the child fall asleep, or the use of television (p=0.006) or videogames (p=0.04) before bedtime. Children who slept alone or shared a bedroom with a sibling had a lower SDR than those sharing bedroom with their parents (p=0.015). A lower SDR was associated with higher academic performance (p=0.029). Conclusion: Sleep-disturbances are frequent in this population, particularly in younger ages. A significant association was found between the need for the presence of a relative in the room or in bed to help the child fall asleep. Television viewing and use of videogames were associated with a reduced total sleep time.