Exploration of Sleep Disturbance of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Sleep disturbance is associated with children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and it is shown in many literature. Studies represents the prevalence of sleep disturbance was 84.8% in Turkey, 77.5% in India, 73.3% in Australia. Sleep disturbance of ADHD children has been developed as a more concerning issue day by day. However, the student researcher explores in this area because it is less focus in the context of Bangladesh. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the sleep disturbance of children with ADHD. Method: The study was conducted by a cross-sectional quantitative study design through face-to-face survey among 80 participants who are parents of children with ADHD. All the participants were taken through a purposive sampling technique. The age range of the children was 3-13 years. Excluded ADHD children with other medical or psychiatric conditions such as Anxiety, Depression, Autism Spectrum Disorder. All participants received services from rehabilitation centres and special schools. To explore sleep disturbance, Children's Sleep Habit Questionnaires (CSHQ) used. Descriptive analysis was used by using SPSS-20 to analyses the data. The Fisher Exact test was conducted to investigate the associated factors with sleep disturbance. Result: Results suggested that 80 children with ADHD participated in this study, among them 72 participants were boys & 8 participants were girls and their maximum age was 13 years and minimum age was 3 years, mean age 6.06, SD (±2.446). Among 80 participants, sleep disturbance prevalence was 77% (n=62). This study also representd the severity of sleep disturbance whereas 72.5% mild, 5% moderate, and no one experienced severe sleep disturbance. The study also examined the rates of sleep problems. According to the participants, they most experienced sleep duration, sleep onset delay, bedtime resistance. Moreover, this study explored a significant association between child age range, educational background of mother and sleep disturbance. From 62 participants who experienced sleep disturbance, 57.5% were 3 to 5 years age range and rest of the 42.6% were 6 to 13 years age range. Besides, 22.6% participants mother obtained SSC degree, 3% obtained HSC degree, 24.2% obtained BSc degree and 48.4% obtained MSc degree. Nonetheless, this study explored no significant association between child’s gender, medication use, living area, educational background of father and sleep disturbance. Conclusion: The current study investigated majority participants experienced sleep disturbance which indicates that sleep disturbances are becoming increasingly significant issues in children with ADHD over time. These findings highlight the importance of providing comprehensive intervention considering child's sleep disturbance issues. So, the conclusion, it will help to increase awareness about sleep issues and help health professionals to make comprehensive treatment plan and also therapeutic implications aimed at improving sleep, implementing preventative measures such as medications, utilizing relaxation techniques, among other important strategies. The study's conclusion emphasizes the importance of raising awareness among parents regarding these issues. Keywords: Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Sleep, Sleep Disturbance