Sleep Behaviors and Sleep Problems Among Sample of Primary Schools Students in Baghdad

Background: Sleep disturbances in children is significantly influences cognitive, psychological, and physical well-being. Sufficient sleep is crucial for overall health, particularly in children under ten years of age. Objectives: To investigate sleep behaviors, patterns, and common sleep disorders among primary school students, and to determine the association between sleep behaviors and the studied variables. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Baghdad, from 1st of March 2024 till 1st of September 2024. The data from a convenient sample of 738 students from public primary schools were collected using a standardized questionnaire including children’s sleep habits questionnaire, in addition to certain chosen variables (both children, parent variables). Statistical analysis: was done using Chi2 test and P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of abnormal sleep among children was (79.3%). Abnormal children’s sleep habits mostly were daytime sleepiness (57.9%), sleep anxiety (39.2%), and bedtime resistance (32.9%), the most common age for children was 10 years (44.7%), were females represents (51.1% of the sample. Abnormal bedtime resistance was significantly associated with children who had epilepsy, P value=0.0 Abnormal daytime sleepiness was significantly observed among children who rank third in the family, (P=0.024). Conclusions: abnormal sleep pattern was prevalent among primary school children. Abnormal bedtime resistance was notably more common among children with epilepsy. An inter-sectoral intervention regarding sleep behavior is required to attain healthy mental, social and intellectual development of primary school children.