Emotional and Behavioral Performance among Adolescents Attending at Outpatient Departments of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to assess emotional and behavioral presentation among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic visiting outpatient departments of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) and to compare the extent of emotional and behavioral symptoms among adolescents with key factors related to COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents from 11–17 years of age attending six outpatient departments of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from October to December 2020. A purposive sampling technique was applied and total 146 samples were selected. A validated Bangla SDQ scale of youth self-report measure (11 to 17 years) baseline version was used for data collection. Data were collected by a face-to-face interview. The study protocol was approved by Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). Both descriptive and inferential statistics were executed for data analysis by using SPSS-25 and MS Excel Software. On basis of SDQ-25 scale, among the three variables, around one–third respondents (34%) had emotional symptoms while 31% and 17% had conduct symptoms and hyperactivity symptoms respectively during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the adolescents who had a history of positive symptoms for COVID-19, 26.5% had hyperactivity symptoms, on the other hand adolescents who had no history of positive symptoms for COVID-19, only 9.8% had significant hyperactivity symptoms. There was a highly significant association (p=0.004) present between behavioral (hyperactivity) symptoms and having a history of positive symptoms for COVID-19. Adolescents who had wariness about uncertainty of COVID-19 pandemic, 25% had significant emotional symptoms on the other hand who had no wariness about uncertainty of COVID-19 pandemic, 14.3% had emotional symptoms. There was significant association (p=0.048) present between emotional symptoms with ‘felt wariness about uncertainty of COVID -19 pandemic. There was also an association (p=0.035) present between behavioral (hyperactivity) symptoms with ‘relationship status among friends. A higher proportion of female adolescents had emotional and hyperactivity symptoms than male adolescents. However, male adolescents suffered mostly for conduct symptom compared to female. Adolescents attending in selected outpatient departments of BSMMU, were especially vulnerable to emotional and behavioral problem based on symptoms developing during COVID-19 pandemic.