Prevalence and factors associated with sleep problems in children during COVID-19 lockdown

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant professor of pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Ph.D. Assistant professor, Clinical Research Development Unit, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Resident of psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

4 Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

5 Assistant professor of psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

10.22038/JFMH.2024.80754.3139

Abstract

Introduction: Adequate sleep is important to children's overall health, as sleep disturbances can result in both cognitive and mental challenges. The global COVID-19 pandemic, with its significant lifestyle disruptions, potentially altered children's sleep patterns. This study investigates the prevalence of sleep problems in children and the factors associated with these issues during the pandemic.
 
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional analysis was conducted between March and April 2020 on 270 children aged 6-11 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sleep behaviors were assessed using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), which was distributed online to the participants. The data were analyzed using SPSS 16, Chi-square test, and independent t-test.
 
Results: Finally 262 were studied (131 boys and 131 girls). The mean age of participants was 8.56±1.97 years. The mean score of CSHQ was 51.99±7.85, with 95.8% (251 children) demonstrating sleep-related issues. Notably, children with highly educated parents exhibited significantly fewer sleep problems.
 
Conclusion: The study reveals a high prevalence of sleep disturbances among children aged 6-11, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown. The findings highlight the significant role of parental education in mitigating these sleep issues, emphasizing the need for further investigation into the effects of familial environments on children's sleep patterns during periods of stress and confinement.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 26, Issue 5
September and October 2024
Pages 279-283

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