Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems among 6–12 year old children in Egypt. |
| Authors: |
Elhamid, Asmaa Abd, Howe, Amanda, Reading, Richard |
| Source: |
Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology. Jan2009, Vol. 44 Issue 1, p8-14. 7p. 4 Charts. |
| Subjects: |
Disease prevalence, Mental health, Child psychology, Symptoms in children, Behavior disorders in children, Children's health, Child psychiatry, Psychiatric epidemiology, Public health administration, Public health laws |
| Geographic Terms: |
Egypt |
| Abstract: |
Epidemiological information about prevalence of child mental health problems is essential to inform policy and public health practice. This information is weak in many developing countries and those in developmental transition. There have been few such studies in Arab countries and none in Egypt. We conducted a population prevalence study of emotional and behavioural disorders among 1186 6–12 year old children in Minia, Egypt. Data was collected from teachers and parents using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire with a 98 and 91% response respectively. Prevalence of abnormal symptom scores is reported for both parents and teachers. Prevalence of probable psychiatric diagnoses was measured using the SDQ multi-informant algorithm. These prevalences have then been compared to published UK data. The prevalence of emotional and behavioural symptoms was high as reported by both parents and teachers (Abnormal total difficulties: teachers 34.7% (95% CI 32.0–37.5), parents 20.6% (18.2–23.2). Abnormal prosocial scores: teachers 24.9% (22.5–27.5), parents 11.8% (9.9–13.9)) but prevalence of probable psychiatric diagnoses was much lower (Any psychiatric diagnosis 8.5% (6.9–10.5); Emotional disorder 2.0% (1.2–3.0); Conduct disorder 6.6% (5.1–8.3); Hyperactivity disorder 0.7% (0.3–1.4)). Comparison with UK data showed higher rates of symptoms but similar rates of probable disorders. Despite public, professional and political underestimation of child mental health problems in Egypt, rates of symptoms are higher than in developed countries, and rates of disorders are comparable. These findings support greater investment in community and primary care prevention and treatment initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|
Copyright of Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| Database: |
Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
