title: Prevalence of Sleep Disorders Among Children 4 - 6 Years Old in Tehran Province, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sleep patterns may change over a person's lifetime; however, the quantity and quality of sleep always depend on individual factors such as age, sex, and psychological and environmental factors. In children, sleep is as important as development. Quantitative sleep problems related to sleep onset and qualitative sleep disorders such as frequent awakenings may lead to insufficient sleep.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the prevalence of sleep disorders among children 4 - 6 years old attending the health centers of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, in 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study on 400 children selected using a multistage sampling method. Data were collected by interviews. The questionnaire included two sections: a demographic section with questions about the demographic characteristics of the children and parents and a children's sleep habit questionnaire (CSHQ). Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 and different statistical tests were used (P < 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the children was 64.27 ± 9.3 months. The prevalence of sleep disorders was 36.25%. Sleep disorders were significantly associated with age, height, body mass index, residence of children, father's occupation, mother's diseases, father's drug abuse, and parents' marital status (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sleep disorders in children threaten growth and development, and are dangerous for their health. Sleep disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children's learning and behavioral problems.
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Giti
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ozgoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Zohre
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sheikhan
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Nero-rehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Farin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Soleimani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Paramedic, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Malihe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nasiri
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Saba
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amiri
keywords: Child; Prevalence; Sleep Disorders