Abstract
Nocturnal enuresis is a serious health problem affecting a significant portion of the population. In this study, we investigated the frequency of punishment methods in nocturnal enuresis (NE) in Turkey and its relationship with other parameters. A total of 501 children (301 boys and 200 girls) who were admitted to our outpatient clinic due to nocturnal enuresis were included in the study. Mean age was 9.39 years (range 5-18). Prepared questionnaire form inquiring educational status of the family, frequency and implementation and duration of punishment methods was applied to patients and families. At least one punishment method was applied to 291 (58.1%) of children with NE. Punishment methods of parents were detected as condemnation (257 patients, 51.3%), depriving desires of the child (120 patients, 23.9%), humiliating the child in the presence of other children (113 patients, 22.6%), reprimanding- threatening with punishment (203 patients, 40.5%). This application was found to continue for longer than 1 year in 52% of punished children. Families graduated of high school and above were found to use punishment methods significantly more than others. According to the results of our study, a quite high proportion of enuretic children were detected to be exposed to punishment methods. Even, some parents consider that these methods are a part of nocturnal enuresis treatment. We, the doctors, should endeavor more for raising awareness of the community in order to diminish this worrisome behavior.
Highlights
Enuresis is synonymous to intermittent nocturnal incontinence in discrete episodes while asleep
We investigated the frequency of punishment methods implemented in nocturnal enuresis and their relationship with other parameters
A total of 501 children (301 (60%) boys and 200 (40%) girls) who were admitted to our outpatient clinic with nocturnal enuresis for the first time and detected to have nocturnal enuresis (NE) as the result of evaluations were included in the study, in a period of three years
Summary
Enuresis is synonymous to intermittent nocturnal incontinence in discrete episodes while asleep. Monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis is a symptom and a condition without any other lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and without a history of bladder dysfunction [1]. Monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis is a symptom rather than a disease and a severe health problem affecting a significant proportion of the community. 15% of children aged 5 years still have night-wetting and these complaints improve 15% each year [2]. Maturation deficiency in central nervous system development, stress affecting the child especially between 2-4 years, depth of sleep, genetic and rarely organic factors play roles in etiology of enuresis [5]. A variety of treatment methods are tried in nocturnal enuresis. Every physician or medical center may have different therapy protocols differing according to the patient and the family
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