NOCTURNAL ERURESIS AMONG CHILDREN AGED FIVE TO TWELVE YEARS IN IDIKAN COMMUNITY IBADAN

Abstract

Normal Enuresis (NE) (Bedwetting at night) is a problem associated with several psychological and behavioural consequences. Studies have been carried out in many countries establishing its prevalence and complications. However, in Nigeria. few studies are available about the problem. The objectives of the study therefore, were to determine the prevalence of NE, document problems associated with it and make appropriate recommendations. This is a descriptive cross sectional survey. Simple random sampling technique was used to select two out of the four streets in Idikan. All the households were enumerated, only families who had children aged between 5 to 12 years were used to seek information about the frequency of NE, explored the methods of management and the perceived effects on the child and family. Five hundred and two families who had children aged between 5-12 years were interviewed, of which 284 (56.6%) families had at least an enuretic child. Of the 1678 children aged 5 to 12 years in ldikan (821 males and 857 females), 374 (22.3%) children had NE comprising 198 (53.0%) males and 176 (47.0%) females, giving a male to female ratio of 1.1:1 and estimated overall prevalence rate of 22.3%. The gender specific prevalence of NE was 24.1% and 20.5% for the males and female respectively. The mean (±SD) age of all the enuretic children was 8.5± 1.4 years; the mean age of male interviewed. A pre-tested questionnaire was children was 8.4± I.7 years while the mean age of female children was 8.6±1.8 years. No significant difference was found in the average age of male and female enuretic children in ldikan community (t=1.100; p=0.270). Twelve (4.2%) of the respondents describe NE as normal childhood problem while 94 (33.1%) attributed it to too much play during the day time,. 27 (9.5%) to deep sleep. 40 (14.1%) to excessive fluid intake while 5 (1.8%) believed it was due to curse or spell from ones enemies. Forty-six (16.2%) respondents would simply ignore the child and 236 (83.1%) believed that the child must be punished. One hundred and nine (38.4%) respondents abused the child verbally. 77 (22.1%) beat the child, Ninety-two (32.4%) called the children funny names, 67 (23.6%) ridiculed them, 90 (31.7%) compelled the children to wash and sundry the beddings and 35 (12.3%) of the respondents exposed the child's enuretic behaviour to the peer group. All the respondents' mode of managing enuresis focused mainly on the enuretic child. The observed reactions of the children by their parents vary. One hundred and Seven (37.7%) of them indicated that their children start the day unhappy when they wet the bed, 123 (43.3%) said the children were afraid of getting out of bed, 53 (18.7%) children remained in bed till others have gone out of the room, while 112 (39.4%) reported that the enuretic child quickly changes position, clothes and biddings. The behaviour of the children in response to their parents reactions to the enuresis shows that 158 (55.6%) cried, 49 (17.3%) feel ashamed and withdrawn while 257 (90.5%) dislike the ridicule. A total of 158 (55.6%) believed that social stigma is attached to nocturnal enuresis as the age advances. Most of the respondents 203 (71.5%) indicated their willingness to seek help from health care practitioners, 72(25.4%) would rather keep it secret while 9(3.2%) did not know what to do. In conclusion, the prevalence of (NE) is high among this age group and is highly stigmatized with increasing age. Thus, parent readily punish such children. Mothers should be educated on appropriate treatment options to NE.