Sleep habits and related factors in kindergarten children.

AIM

This study aimed to determine the sleeping habits and sleeping periods of kindergarten children, in order to analyze the problems related to sleep hygiene and determine the underlying factors.

METHODS

The sample size of this cross-sectional study consisted of 390 children. A questionnaire filled in by the parents was used as the data collection tool. The data were analyzed with appropriate statistical tests.

RESULTS

According to the mothers, 77.2% of the children had their own room at home. Thirty nine percent of children slept with the full light on in their room, 50.3% slept with night light on in their room, 12.3% slept with the radio/television on in their room. Infant sleep practices found in this study are swaddling (18.5%), wrapping of the infant's arms (21.0%), and rocking (58.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

In terms of sleep hygiene, the vast majority of the children slept in a bright environment, and there were electronic appliances in the room. Common infant-transition-to-sleep practices observed were wrapping their arms and swaddling them. In our point of view, awareness training for parents about the subject will support sleep hygiene practices.