Profile of child and adolescent psychiatry in Oman

To find the common behavioral problems in youth, their co-morbidity, treatment, and other variables in Oman.

All patients who attended the child psychiatric clinic in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, (the only child psychiatry clinic in Sultanate of Oman) for a 3-month period were investigated for behavioral problems, particularly hyperactivity (by Conners' Questionnaire). The diagnosis was based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition.

Of the total 212 cases, Omani nationals constituted 89% and the rest were expatriates. Sixty five percent were boys, 57% were of school age, 26% were adolescents, 9% were preschoolers and 5% were toddlers. Consanguinity among their parents was high at 52%. The majority (60%) of the patients exhibited hyperactivity. Aggression was found in 49%, while stealing and lying were found in 25% and 22%. Approximately one-third suffered from headache and abdominal pain. The majority (62%) were of below-normal intelligence. Anxiety affected 14%, depression 4%, and conduct disorders 8%. One-third of the patients were taking psychostimulants and another one-third were taking tricyclics. The results were compared with those from other developing countries.

Behavioral problems among children and adolescents are high in Oman, same as other developing countries, though the type of disorders is different here. This calls for the attention of the health policy makers for diagnosing and treating such disorders in Oman as well as in the other developing countries.