ABSTRACT
The prevalence of nocturnal enuresis has been investigated in 477 children (243 boys, 234 girls) attending government Basic Schools in Kingston, Jamaica. Enuresis, defined as wet at least 2 nights a week, occurred in 62%, 48%, 42%and 40%at 2, 3, 4 and 5 years of age, respectively. Enuresis, defined as wet at least one night a month, occurred in 68%, 58%, 53%and 52%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the sexes. Children with a family history of enuresis (first degree relatives wet beyound 8 years of age) were more likely to be enuretic than those with no family history, the difference reaching statistical significance for girls (<0.001) and for the sexes combined (p <0.001) but not for boys alone (p=0.06). The prevalence of nocturnal enuresis in Jamaican children is higher than reported for Black children elsewhere, which in turn is higher than in their White counterparts. Cultural attitudes to bed-wetting contribute to this variation and have implications for choice of therapy, both in Jamaica and elsewhere.