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An epidemiological study of childhood development in an urban setting in Brazil

Sheila C Caetano1, Marcos V V Ribeiro1, Melanie S Askari2

  • 1Departamento de Psiquiatria, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Revista Brasileira De Psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999)
|August 20, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Over 25% of Brazilian preschool children have mental health disorders, linked to family stress and low social support. Early intervention, like family therapy, is crucial for prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Public Health
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Mental illness is a significant public health issue, particularly affecting young children in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Early childhood is a critical period for mental health development, with many disorders emerging during these formative years.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of internalizing disorders, externalizing disorders, and socioemotional development delays in Brazilian preschool children.
  • To identify modifiable risk factors, including family relationships, social support, and neighborhood disadvantage, associated with mental, behavioral, or developmental disorders (MBDD).

Main Methods:

  • A random sample of 1,292 preschool children aged 4-5 years was recruited from 30 public preschools in Embu das Artes, Brazil.
  • Six-month prevalence of MBDD was assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social-Emotional (ASQ:SE).

Main Results:

  • The six-month prevalence was 25.4% for internalizing disorders, 12.1% for externalizing disorders, and 30.3% for socioemotional development delays.
  • MBDD prevalence was higher in families experiencing stressful relationships, parental depression or anxiety, and those with lower social capital.

Conclusions:

  • A significant proportion (at least 25%) of urban preschool children in Brazil exhibit mental health disorders.
  • Stressful family relationships and reduced social capital are modifiable risk factors associated with these disorders.
  • Implementing prevention and intervention strategies, such as family therapy, is essential to address the high prevalence of MBDD in this population.
Abstract

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