Prevalence of enuresis among primary school children in Port Harcourt

Authors

  • Paul NI Department of Paediatrics and Child Health
  • Alikor EAD Department of Paediatrics and Child Health
  • Anochie IC Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Abstract

Abstract Background: Enuresis is a common problem among children and adolescents. It can lead to important psychosocial
disturbances. Knowledge of the prevalence and types of enuresis in a community would guide early intervention.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of enuresis among primary school children aged 6- 12years in Port Harcourt (PHC)
and the types of enuresis among these children.

Methods: A cross sectional study of enuresis among school children in 13 primary schools in three school districts in PHC was
p e r f o r m e d . P r e t e s t e d questionnaires completed by parents/guardians and augmented by history obtained from the
children were used to collect data from 922 school chi ldren. Descriptive statistics and chisquare test were used for data analysis.

Results: A total of 922 school children, consisting of 463 (50.2%) males and 459 (49.8%) females were studied. The response rate was 82.2%. The overall prevalence of enuresis was 23.2%. Enuresis was notably more common in boys (male: female ratio 1.4:1), and the prevalence rates decreased with increasing age. Of all enuretic children, 92.1% had nocturnal enuresis, 0.9% had diurnal and 7.0% had nocturnal -diurnal enuresis.

Conclusion: Enuresis is a common problem among school children in PHC, is more common in males. The predominant type is the primary nocturnal enuresis.

Keywords: Prevalence, Enuresis, Primary school-children, Port-Harcourt

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Published

2024-07-02

How to Cite

Prevalence of enuresis among primary school children in Port Harcourt. (2024). NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS, 39(1), 18-21. https://www.njpaediatrics.com/index.php/njp/article/view/476