Prevalence and pattern of mental health problems

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Pediatric Mental Health
• Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

• Childhood mental health issues are prevalent but often underdiagnosed.
• Identifying etiological factors is crucial for early intervention and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of mental health problems in children aged 5-15 years.
• To identify common mental health issues and associated risk factors in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 348 children aged 5-15 years.
• Parental questionnaires, detailed clinical history, physical examination, and mental status examination were utilized.
• Data analysis focused on prevalence, common disorders, and correlation with perinatal and psychosocial factors.

Main Results:

• Fifty out of 348 children (14.4%) presented with mental health problems.
• Males and firstborn children showed higher prevalence.
• Commonly observed problems included poor scholastic performance, enuresis, hyperkinetic syndrome, speech disorders, and sleep disorders.
• Specific gender differences were noted, with males more prone to scholastic issues and temper tantrums, and females to enuresis and hysterical symptoms.
• Adverse perinatal factors (low birth weight, difficult deliveries, birth injuries, neonatal jaundice) and psychosocial stressors (parental conflict, parental death, family illness) were frequently associated.

Conclusions:

• Mental health problems represent a significant concern in school-aged children.
• Perinatal complications and psychosocial adversity are critical etiological factors.
• Early identification and targeted interventions addressing these risk factors are essential for improving child mental well-being.