Factors associated with delayed management of nocturnal enuresis: a cross-sectional study of parental perspectives

Background. Nocturnal enuresis (NE) in the pediatric age group is a major health problem that can significantly affect both the child and the family. Despite the availability of effective treatments, many families delay seeking medical consultation. Objective. This study aimed to assess parental knowledge and beliefs about NE and to identify factors associated with delayed medical consultation. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2024 and January 2025 in Basrah City. Parents of children with NE were interviewed using a structured questionnaire that collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical features, family beliefs, and management practices. Factors associated with delayed medical consultation were examined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results were presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results. A total of 210 parents participated in the study. Most children had primary NE (92.9%), and 60.5% were male. Delayed medical consultation was reported in 87.6% of cases. The most commonly reported reasons for delay were lack of awareness (62.4%) and high treatment cost (15.7%). In multivariate analysis, increasing age was associated with higher odds of delayed consultation (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03-1.15). In contrast, secondary NE (OR = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.004-0.157) and higher family income (OR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03-0.43) were associated with lower odds of delayed consultation. Conclusion. Delayed management of NE is common in the Basrah population. Age, type of enuresis, and family income were key predictors of delayed medical consultation. Improving parental awareness and access to care may help promote earlier diagnosis and treatment of nocturnal enuresis.