Screening for emotional and behavioural problems amongst 5–11-year-old school children in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

In the present study, prevalence of child mental health problems was higher than reported in studies from other countries. Prevalence was higher amongst children attending community schools. Consistent with most studies, male children were at a higher risk than females. There is a need for developing programs to train, sensitise and mobilize teachers and parents regarding child's psychological, emotional and behavioural problems with special attention to community schools. Since the male child is at a greater risk we should be cognizant of this while evaluating children for psychopathology.

Effect of an early perinatal depression intervention on long-term child development outcomes: follow-up of the Thinking Healthy Programme randomised controlled trial

“…Socio--emotional development included two main domains: behavioral/emotional problems, assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) 15,16 and anxiety with the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS). 17 The SDQ is parent administered and has been validated in Pakistan; 20 questions inquire about the child's difficulties in four areas: emotional, conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer problems, and pro--social.…”

“…17 The SDQ is parent administered and has been validated in Pakistan; 20 questions inquire about the child's difficulties in four areas: emotional, conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer problems, and pro--social. 15,16 The total difficulties score is generated by summing the problem scale scores, ranging from 0 to 40. The SCAS is also parent administered and comprises of six different subscales in addition to an overall anxiety score: panic and agoraphobia, separation anxiety, physical injury fears, social phobia, obsessive--compulsive problems, and generalized anxiety.…”

Factor Structure of the Urdu Version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in Pakistani Adolescents

“…Although the Urdu version of the SDQ (SDQ-U) has been used in several studies in Pakistan [22][23][24][25], to our knowledge no studies have examined its factor structure. Thus, it remains unclear at this time whether the factor structure of the SDQ as determined by Goodman [7] can be applied to adolescents in Pakistan.…”

Child and adolescent mental health services in Pakistan: current situation, future directions and possible solutions

“…A summary of significant international epidemiological studies concluded that the rate and range of psychiatric symptoms in children is similar in lower-and higher-income countries (Fayyad et al, 2001). However, the prevalence of child mental health problems in Pakistan is higher than has been reported in studies from other countries (Syed et al, 2007a). Research in the area of understanding the psychopathology of mental disorders in children in our cultural context needs to be explored (Nikapota, 1991).…”