European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

NOCTURNAL ENURESIS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN THE SULTANATE OF OMAN: PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS

Dr. Ashwaq Al Sabri, Dr. Maha Al Muqbali, Dr. Abeer Al Hadhrami, *Dr. Chander Kumar Lohana, Dr. Imran Saad Azmi and Dr. Asma Ali Al Salmani

ABSTRACT

Objective: Nocturnal Enuresis (NE) is a common problem worldwide. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of NE in the Sultanate of Oman. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2018 and May 2019 at six primary schools in North Al-Batinah and Muscat. The target population included primary school children aged between 5–11 years. Sample stratification was used to select the study population. A previously validated four-part questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic characteristics and the presence, frequency and timing of enuresis and associated risk factors. Results: Of the 1,100 questionnaires distributed, 849 were completed and included in the final analysis (response rate: 77.2%). The majority of the children were female (53.5%) and under 10 years of age (85.7%). The overall prevalence of nocturnal and daytime enuresis was 19.9% and 4.4%, respectively. There was a steady decrease in the frequency of NE with increasing age (p <0.001). Moreover, NE was significantly associated with poor academic performance (p = 0.040) and a family history of NE among siblings and parents (p ≤0.001). Conclusions: The study findings were comparable to other epidemiological studies from different countries. Overall, NE among primary school children is a relatively common problem in Oman that requires further attention.

Keywords: Urination Incontinence; Nocturnal Enuresis; Children; Primary School; Oman.