Objective To investigate the
prevalence of
sleep and
behavioral problems in a large sample of Nanjing preschoolers,and explore the relationship between them.
Methods A total of 1327
children from 6 kindergartens of 2 districts in Nanjing,
aged 3-6 years,were included in the study by using a stratified random sample
survey method.
Parents of these
children completed a
questionnaire including
sleep habits and
social characteristics of the
children and their
family.
Behavioral problem scores were measured by the Achenbach
children behavior checklist for
children aged 1.5-5.0 years.The relationship between
sleep and
behavioral problems was tested using multivariate
Logistic regression models to control for potentially confounding factors.Results Overall,52.68% of the
children were found to have
sleep problems.The
prevalence of
sleep problems in
boys was 56.11%,which was significantly higher than that (48.60%) in
girls (P =0.006).The
prevalence of total
behavioral problems was 10.40%.
Children with
sleep problems had significantly higher
prevalence and scores of total
behavioral problems,internalizing
syndrome and externalizing
syndrome compared with those of
children without
sleep problems,and the differences were significant (P < 0.05).In
Logistic regression models,the
children sleep problems were significantly contributed to total
behavioral problems(OR =2.08,P < 0.001).Conclusion The
children sleep problems are common and as a
risk factor for
behavioral problems in Nanjing preschoolers.