Prevalence & Perceptions
Prevalence Parental involvement and perceptions Prevalence The prevalence of NE decreases with increasing age. [7] Reviews conducted in Western countries revealed a prevalence of 8% among 7-year-olds, 3% among 11 - 12-year-olds, and 0.8% among 16-year-olds. [8] Higher rates of enuresis are seen in less developed countries owing to lower socioeconomic status, lack of efficient enuresis treatment,
Parental involvement and perceptions
Prevalence
The prevalence of NE decreases with increasing age.[7]
Reviews conducted in Western countries revealed a prevalence of 8% among 7-year-olds, 3% among 11 - 12-year-olds, and 0.8% among 16-year-olds.[8]
Higher rates of enuresis are seen in less developed countries owing to lower socioeconomic status, lack of efficient enuresis treatment, and late presentation.[9]
A 2012 study in SA revealed that NE affects 16.0% of children, with 14.4% experiencing MSE and 1.6% having NE with daytime urinary incontinence.[10]
Males are affected more than females, and the prevalence ratio is 2:1.[10]
Poor school performance and learning problems are associated with NE. Additionally, NE may result in low self-esteem, which may lead to psychological issues.[10]
Parental Involvement and Perceptions
Caregivers/parents may view enuresis as a behavioural issue, potentially causing psychological harm to children through punishment, shaming and lack of support.[10]
Many parents have tried multiple treatment options, often without seeing substantial improvement in their child’s progress. This leaves parents feeling hopeless and frustrated, causing them to discontinue treatment.[11]
Research shows that parents who have a hostile and angry approach towards bedwetting are more likely to punish their child, whereas parents with a more positive approach are more likely to comfort and encourage their child.[12]
Different cultures have varying beliefs and norms regarding their approach to enuresis.[11]
Parents’ perception of NE also influences their likelihood of seeking medical treatment for their child.[11]
Parents are often not very concerned, so most children do not receive treatment. Failure to seek treatment is partly because the condition usually gets better on its own, and partly because parents are unaware of available therapies. Families tend to try to treat their children with methods such as limiting fluids, waking the child at night to go to the bathroom, and counselling. However, these treatment methods are not successful on their own in some cases.[10]
Parents also tend to prefer medication and behavioural treatments to bed alarms. They find that bed alarms disturb their sleep and are high maintenance, and stop using them.[11,13,14]
Parental involvement is a crucial component in the treatment plan for enuresis. Healthcare practitioners should therefore try to understand parents’ approach to bedwetting management to ensure the best treatment outcome for the child.[11]
The South African Medical Journal_The South African guidelines on enuresis: 2024 update_November 2024; Vol. 114, No. 11