Factors Affecting Sleeping Pattern of Early Childhood in Assuit City Egypt

Every living creature needs to sleep. Sleeping is the primary activity of the brain during early
development which has profound influences on health and wellbeing across the life course. It is influenced
by various factors involving biological, neuro-developmenal, psychosocial, behavioral and environmental
factors, as far as modern civilization and new changes in lifestyle. However, sleep problems are common
and highly prevalent in early childhood children .Reduced or disrupted sleep, especially if it occurs at key
times in development, can lead to serious consequences on all aspects of child development and for almost
all body organs and system. The aim of this study is to identify factors affecting sleeping pattern of early
childhood children in Assiut City. Descriptive research design was used in this study. This study was carried
out in two nursery schools in Assiut City: (University Nursery School) as an urban area and (Ezz Nursery
School) as a rural area. Both were selected randomly to constitute Assiut City. The study sample consisted
of 200 healthy early childhood children and their parents .Their age ranged from (1-6 years old) of both
sexes. Data were collected during the period from the beginning of June 2014 to the end of September 2014
through using specially-designed structured interview questionnaire. The results of this study revealed that
studied children’s sleeping start time was very late , about one third and more (32% ,41%) of them start to
sleep between 10 -12 PM, (43% ,39%) of them awake early at 7 AM, more than half (51% , 54% ) of them
sleep for 6 -8 hours /day, near half and more (46 %, 55%) of them have sleeping naps. Asphyxia is the most
reported post-natal problem and colic is the commonest reported complain among them. Television was the
most used (86%) device for entertainment in their homes. Highly statistically significant difference is found
between their sleeping duration and reported post-natal problems (P= 0.001); and also statistically significant
difference is found between their sleeping duration and the use of mobile devices (P= 0.023), their sleeping
behaviors related to the need of a pacifier or their crying till asleep (P=0.001, P= 0.030) respectively and
also with their mothers’ behavior of excessive pampering (P=0.022). The study concluded that, in Assiut
City, early childhood children sleeping start time is very late. Despite that, they wake up early; consequently,
their sleep duration is less than required according to their ages. Daytime napping is common as expected
according to their ages. Asphyxia is the most reported post-natal problem and colic is the commonest
reported complain among them. The children’s sleeping duration is affected by many biological,
neurodevelopmental, environmental, psychosocial and behavioral factors .The study recommended
educating parents about children’s normal sleeping patterns and limiting the use of media, particularly in
bedrooms to promote good sleep habits and improve the quantity and quality of the child's sleep < /div>