Children emotional and behavioural problems and its association with maternal depression in Jimma town, southwest

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Arefayne Alenko1, Shimelis Girma1, Mubarek Abera1

  • 1Psychiatry, Jimma University College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma, Ethiopia.

General Psychiatry
|July 14, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Maternal depression significantly predicts emotional and behavioural problems (EBPs) in Ethiopian children. Integrated maternal and child mental health programs are crucial for early screening and intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Global Mental Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • High prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems (EBPs) in children and depression in women in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Limited understanding of maternal depression's impact on child mental health in Ethiopia.
  • Significant gap in data regarding the magnitude of children's EBPs within Ethiopia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To ascertain the prevalence of child EBPs in Jimma town, Ethiopia.
  • To investigate the association between maternal depression and child EBPs.
  • To identify other risk factors contributing to child EBPs in the study area.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative cross-sectional study involving 734 mother-child pairs in Jimma town, Ethiopia.
  • Assessment of child EBPs using the parent version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; cut-off ≥14).
  • Assessment of maternal depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9; cut-off ≥10); data analyzed with multivariable logistic regression.

Main Results:

  • 19.9% of children exhibited EBPs (95% CI: 16.9%–22.9%).
  • Maternal depression was significantly associated with child EBPs (adjusted OR=2.38, 95% CI: 1.55–3.66).
  • Additional risk factors included child age (7–10 years), smaller family size (≤6 members), maternal intimate partner violence, and maternal khat use.

Conclusions:

  • A substantial proportion of children in Jimma town experience EBPs.
  • Maternal depression is a significant predictor of children's EBPs.
  • Urgent need for integrated maternal and child mental health programs, including routine screening and interventions within the family healthcare system.
Abstract

Keywords:
child behaviour disorderschild psychiatrymental healthmental health servicesmother-child relations

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