Epidemiological study of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders in Lithuania

Abstract

BackgroundFrom the public health perspective, epidemiological data of child mental health and psychosocial correlates were necessary and very lacking in Lithuanian society that has been undergoing rapid socio-economic change since the past decades. Together with determining the prevalence rates of disorders and assessing the needs for the services, this study has also shifted attention from the highly selective samples of children attending children and adolescent mental health services towards less severe cases of psychopathology as well as different attitudes of parents and teachers. The aim of the first epidemiological study in Lithuania was to identify the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the community sample of children.MethodsChild psychiatric disorders were investigated in a representative sample of 3309 children aged 7–16 years (1162 7–10-year-olds and 2147 11–16-year-olds), using a two-phase design with the Lithuanian version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in the first screening phase, and the Development and Well-Being Assessment (DAWBA) in the second diagnostic phase.ResultsThe estimated point prevalence of ICD-10 psychiatric disorders was 13.1% for the total sample (14.0% for the child sample and 12.1% for adolescent sample). The most common groups of disorders were Conduct disorders 6.6% (7.1% for child sample and 6.0% for adolescent sample), Anxiety disorders 5.0% (5.9% for child sample and 6.0% for adolescent sample), with Hyperkinesis being less common 2.0% (2.7% for child sample and 1.2% for adolescent sample). Potential risk factors were related to individual characteristics of the child (gender, poor general health, and stressful life experiences), and the family (single parenthood, foster care, unfavourable family climate, disciplining difficulties, worries related to TV or computer use).ConclusionsThe overall prevalence of youth psychiatric disorders was relatively high in this representative Lithuanian sample compared to Western European countries. The SDQ and DAWBA measures appear useful for the further research and clinical practice in this society.

Children emotional and behavioural problems and its association with maternal depression in Jimma town, southwest Ethiopia

“…11 The finding of the Kenyan study is also consistent with our finding. Contrary to the current study, the lower prevalence of EBP was reported in Lithuania (14.05%) 8 and Nepal (12.9%-17.03%). 9 The difference might be due to different countries' socioeconomic status, the age of children involved in the study (7-10 years) and year of study such as study conducted in Lithuania (2004)(2005)(2006)(2007).…”

“…In this study, higher prevalence of conduct (7.1%) and anxiety disorders (5.9%) than ADHD (2.9%), was reported. 8 In Nepal, the prevalence of EBPs in school children was 12.9%-17.03%. The clinical prevalence of anxiety disorders was 18.8%-24.4% and ADHD was 10%-11.7% in different clinical samples of children and adolescents.…”

Validation of the Lithuanian version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire 6.0 in a student sample

“…To date, no epidemiological studies on the prevalence of eating disorders or disordered eating were performed in Lithuania. However, body image concerns, health‐compromising eating behaviors, disordered eating, and the prevalence of psychosomatic and psychiatric disorders constitute a significant problem and area of research in young people globally and in Lithuania (Baceviciene, Jankauskiene, & Emeljanovas, ; Jankauskiene & Baceviciene, ; Lesinskiene et al, ). The reduction in EDs and health‐compromising eating behaviors is one of the most important targets in prevention programs for obesity and body image concerns (Ciao et al, ).…”

Self-perception of physical activity and fitness is related to lower psychosomatic health symptoms in adolescents with unhealthy lifestyles

“…The region of Northern Europe has a minor but significant increasing trend in adolescent PHC between 1980 and 2016 [13]. However, PHC in adolescents has not attracted much scientific attention in Lithuania, despite the relatively high overall prevalence of youth psychiatric disorders compared with Western European countries [14]. Therefore, the analysis of the factors associated with Lithuanian adolescents’ psychosocial well-being and lifestyle factors is very important [15].…”