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PREVALENCE OF MENTAL AND BEHAVIOURAL DISORDERS IN ETHIOPIAN CHILDREN
Abstract
Objective: To determine the magnitude of specific mental and behavioural disorders in
children in Butajira, southern Ethiopia.
Design: A cross-sectional survey.
Setting: Butajira district, southern Ethiopia.
Subjects: Amharic version of the diagnostic instrument for children and adolescents was
used to interview parents of 1477 children.
Results: Of the surveyed children 3.5% had at least one or more mental or behavioural
disorders. The most frequent diagnoses were anxiety disorders (1.6%), attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (1.5 %) and disruptive behaviour disorders (1.5 %). Mood disorders
(I %) and elimination disorders (0.8%) were relatively less common.
Conclusion: The study shows that specific mental and behavioural disorders in these
children are significant public health problems.
children in Butajira, southern Ethiopia.
Design: A cross-sectional survey.
Setting: Butajira district, southern Ethiopia.
Subjects: Amharic version of the diagnostic instrument for children and adolescents was
used to interview parents of 1477 children.
Results: Of the surveyed children 3.5% had at least one or more mental or behavioural
disorders. The most frequent diagnoses were anxiety disorders (1.6%), attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (1.5 %) and disruptive behaviour disorders (1.5 %). Mood disorders
(I %) and elimination disorders (0.8%) were relatively less common.
Conclusion: The study shows that specific mental and behavioural disorders in these
children are significant public health problems.
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