Parental attitudes and perceptions regarding primary nocturnal enuresis in children

Background: Nocturnal enuresis has a significant psychological impact on both children and their parents. Parenteral attitudes and perceptions immensely affect the management and resolution of bedwetting in children. This study evaluates the parenteral attitudes and perceptions regarding nocturnal enuresis. Methods: A descriptive explorative study was carried out on parents of children studying in selected schools of Nashik. A survey was conducted to determine the students with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. Out of 127 enuretic children aged 6 to 12 years, parents of 50 children who met the inclusion criteria were selected for the study. Results: Majority of parents 12(24%) considered deep sleeping the main cause of nocturnal enuresis while 3 (6%) considered it is caused by a neurological problem. The results of parents emotional reactions on their child’s enuresis revealed majority 18 (36%) regarded their child’s bedwetting as troublesome while 7 (14%) felt angry. On basis of their perceptions about useful management strategies12 (24%) considered limiting fluid intake before bedtime while 8 (16%) considered punishing and scolding the child as a useful remedy. All 7 parents who react angrily for their child’s bedwetting had either primary or secondary education. Parenteral education level was also related to management of enuresis where all 8 parents who considered punishing belonged to parents with either primary or secondary education. Parents with a positive family history of bedwetting considered limiting fluid intake and praising the child as useful management strategies. Parents with children who wet their bed every night (26%) felt more worried and angry on child’s bedwetting habit. Conclusion: Parents’ educational status and positive family history of bedwetting has a major role in their attitude and perception regarding emotional reactions and management of nocturnal enuresis where as parents’ educational status was not related to their beliefs about nocturnal enuresis causes. The results emphasize the need for proper educational or bladder training programs for parents to help manage their children with nocturnal enuresis.