Behavioral Problems in Children Attending Pediatric Outpatient Department: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Behavioral problems in children are one of the most common and rising problems in India. The studies of behavioral problems in children would give us data for mental health planning for children. We can identify children at risk and preventive intervention can be made at the earliest. AIMS: Aim of this study is to determine the proportion of various behavioral problems in children of age 5 to 15 years. Objectives of this study are to find the relationship between behavioral problems and socio-demographic variables and to determine the frequencies of internalizing, externalizing and other behavioral problems. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: In this cross sectional study, 400 children in the age group of 5-15 years from the pediatrics department of a tertiary care hospital were selected. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Child Behavior Check List (CBCL) was used to measure the magnitude of problem behaviors. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test/Fishers exact test. RESULTS: The sample included 400 children and out of them 22% had behavioral problems. Out of them 4% of children had internalizing problems, 9.75% had externalizing problems and 8.25% had other problems (Social and attention). Regarding the frequency of psychiatric disorders, conduct disorder was the most common problem (2.75%). Externalizing problems were prevalent in males while internalizing problems were prevalent in females. There is a significant association between parent's (Deceased/Alive) status, their marital status, family history of psychiatric illness and the development of behavioral problems in children. CONCLUSION: Therefore identifying the children with behavioral problem in young age and treating them would go a long way in preventing psychiatric morbidity later life. The need for such study is very much warranted in developing countries like India where such information is limited and this study would go on to augment existing data.