Prevalence of sleep disturbances and factors associated among school going children in Uganda, a cross-sectional study.

Background: Sleep disturbances greatly impact children's academic performance and social well-being. This study set out to determine the prevalence of sleep disturbances and factors associated among school going children in Kawempe division, Kampala, Uganda. Methods: In a community cross-sectional study, 548 study participants using random cluster sampling were enrolled. The children start lessons at 8 am and end the days classes at 5 pm. Random cluster sampling method was used to select participants from the 19 parishes in Kawempe district. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC). Descriptive statistics and multivariate binary logistic regression were performed with a p <0.05 level of significance, and a 95% confidence interval as a measure of association between the sleep disturbance. Results: Abnormal total sleep score (T-score >70) was at 3.5%, and overall, 21.7% of the children had an abnormal score on at least one SDSC factor. Among the children with sleep disturbances, we noted the following factors; use of an electronic device before bed, sleeping less than 7 hours at night, having unemployed parents and lack of regular parental interaction. Conclusion: Better understanding of sleep disturbances in needed to address challenges associated with sleep among children in Uganda.