A comparison of sleeping problems in school‐age children between rural and urban communities in China

Abstract

To investigate differences in sleeping behaviours in school-age children between urban and rural Chinese communities. Children aged between 6 and 12 years old were selected from rural (n= 472) and urban communities (n= 576). Children's sleep habits questionnaire was completed by the parents to assess sleep patterns and sleep problems of the children. In the 6-8 and 9-12 years groups, the average sleep time in urban children was shorter than in the children from rural areas (9.0 +/- 1.1 vs. 11.3 +/- 1.1 h, and 9.2 +/- 1.0 vs. 10.2 +/- 0.9 h, respectively, all P < 0.01). The rate of abnormal sleep behaviour in the urban and rural cohort was 82.8 and 70.1%, respectively (P < 0.05). The prevalence of sleep delays in the 6- to 8-year-old children from urban areas was higher than in the rural areas (60.3 vs. 40.3%, P < 0.01). In the urban 9-12 years group, the rate of day-time sleepiness was higher than in the rural group (52.6 vs. 26.8%, P < 0.01), whereas the night waking rate was lower (43.8 vs. 58.6%, P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the location of the residence, mother's age, parent's sleep habits and education levels predict the sleeping problems in these children. Children from urban communities appear to have sleeping problems than children from a rural setting. A parent's sleep habits, education levels and the location of children's residence have significant impact on the children's sleep behaviour and habits.