Prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems among 6–12 year old children in Egypt

Abstract

j 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.j Key words children -emotional and behavioural disorders -mental health -developing countries -Egypt

Prevalence of externalizing behavior problems in Sri Lankan preschool children: birth, childhood, and sociodemographic risk factors

“…This would have eliminated possible linguistic inequality and sociocultural discrepancies occur in using translated versions of instruments constructed for use in developed countries [12,14,15].…”

“…Inconsistencies of definition and inclusion of variety of age ranges can be attributed as major reasons for differences in reported rates. Another common limitation of these studies is the use of instruments and cutoffs developed and validated for more affluent and developed countries [14,15]. Apart from inaccuracy of translation, these instruments may not yield specific social and cultural issues inherent in underprivileged, developing countries.…”

Problem and pro-social behavior among Nigerian children with intellectual disability: the implication for developing policy for school based mental health programs

“…SDQ had also been used in different population sample to screen for behavioral problems in children and adolescents and had been documented to have good psychometric properties [13]. These population samples included general population [14-17], regular school community [15], pediatric out-patients population [14] among others.…”

Arab Immigrant Muslim Mothers’ Perceptions of Children's Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

“…For example, in the Arab world there are few studies that address children's behavioral problems in general and ADHD in specific (Alhamed et al, 2008;Al Shabeti et al, 2008;Alyahni & Goodman, 2008;Elhamid, Howe & Reading, 2009). The prevalence of ADHD symptoms in Arab cases varies considerably between 0.5% to 14.9%.…”