Association between Sociodemographic Factors and Sleeping Patterns from Infancy to Four Years of Life in Saudi Community

Abstract

Objective: Sleep is a prime factor of healthy development and has been associated with emotional, behavioural, and cognitive development. This study investigates sleep parameters and associated sociodemographic characteristics in a population-based online method in Saudi children from infancy to four years of life. Methods: A Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire (BISQ) for sleep assessment was made available to participants through the web link in Arabic language and were filled by the mothers. The target population were divided into three age groups: 0-11 months, 1-2 years, and 2-4 years. Questions related to demographic factors and sleep problems like bedtime resistance, sleep anxiety, nocturnal awakenings and daytime sleepiness were included. Data were evaluated by logistic regression analysis (p ≤ 0.05) using software R. Results: 1264 individuals participated in the study, which included 51.3% and 48.7% of male and female children respectively. Sleep disorders were significantly associated with age of child, mode of birth, mother’s occupation, family type, parent’s sleep time, sleep onset and sleep duration (P < 0.05). Inadequate bedtime habits and sleep duration below the recommended levels were observed in all age groups. Conclusions: The present study showed the prevalence and association between sleeping patterns and different sleep parameters and could be used to inform future research on how to increase parental knowledge of healthy sleep practices and adequate sleep among young children.