Psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents: Prevalence and sociodemographic correlates in Semnan Province in Iran

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and sociodemographic correlates in children and adolescents ages 6-18 years in semnan province.

Method: Participants were 1037 children and adolescents ages 6 to 18 years in Semnan. This study was a survey study and its data have been taken from the National survey of Iranian Children and Adolescents' Psychiatric Disorders in 2017. A sample of children and adolescents from Semnan was selected by multistage cluster sampling method. Participants completed the K- SADS- PL interview.

Results: Findings showed the general prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Semnan was 24.8 (CI95%: 22.2-27.5) with a proportion of female to male 1.1:1. As the age increased, the prevalence rate of psychiatric disorders decreased. In mothers with undergraduate education, the rate of prevalence of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents was significantly lower than that of illiterate mothers (OR adjust = 0.309, p = .01). Among anxiety disorders, the highest rate of prevalence was related to Separation Anxiety Disorder (6.4%; CI95%: 5.03-8.01). Oppositional Defiant Disorder (4%; CI95%: 2.9-5.3) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (3.4%; CI95%: 2.4-4.7) had the highest rate of prevalence among behavioral disorders. Sex, Locus of life, socioeconomic status had no effect on the prevalence rate.

Conclusion: The disorders prevalence was higher than the previous prevalence that reported in Iran. Anxiety disorders are the most common disorders. The results showed that psychiatric disorders of the children and adolescents were not different in terms of sociodemograhic factors in Semnan.

Keywords: Adolescence; Epidemiology; Prevalence; Psychiatric disorders.