Lifetime prevalence and incidence of parasomnias in a population of young adult Nigerians

Lifetime prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for parasomnias were determined. Past experiences of non-REM, REM, and sleep-transition parasomnias were recorded. Diaries of night sleep duration, parasomnias, perception of aliens, levels of physical activity, headaches and intake of all substances, drugs, and tobacco were kept for 14 consecutive days. A total of 276 subjects were studied. Lifetime prevalences (95% CI) were 725 (668–776) for occurrence of any parasomnia, 43 (25–74) for sleepwalking, 112 (80–155) for sleep terror, 475 (416–533) for nightmares, 225 (179–277) for sleep paralysis, 43 (25–74) for sleep starts, 322 (270–380) for sleep talking, and 344 (291–402) for enuresis. Incidences (95% CI) were 210 (166–262) for occurrence of any parasomnia, 14 (6–37) for sleepwalking, 11 (4–31) for sleep terror, 170 (131–219) for confusional arousal, 18 (8–42) for nightmares, 14 (6–37) for sleep paralysis, 33 (17–61) for sleep starts, and 4 (1–20) for sleep enuresis. Multivariate analysis showed associations of increase occurrence of parasomnias and duration of sleep >7 h ( p