The prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders among 7-10 year old Yemeni schoolchildren

TY - JOUR

T1 - The prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders among 7-10 year old Yemeni schoolchildren

AU - Alyahri, A

AU - Goodman, R

PY - 2008/3

Y1 - 2008/3

N2 - Background The planning of child mental health services should be based on recent high-quality data on the prevalence and type of mental health disorders, and yet such data are not available in Yemen and many other Arab countries. Methods Representative samples of Yemeni 7-10 year olds (n = 1,210) were assessed using a two-phase design in an urban area and a one-phase design in a rural area. Psychopathology was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for screening purposes and the Development and Well-being Assessment to generate psychiatric diagnoses. Results The overall prevalence of DSM-IV disorders was 15.7% in Yemen (95% CI 11.7-20.2%). Anxiety disorders were the commonest diagnostic grouping in Yemen (9.3%, 95% CI = 5.8-12.8%), followed by behavioural disorders (7.1%, 95% CI = 4.4-9.9%) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; 1.3%, 95% CI = 0.1-2.5%). There were no significant urban-rural differences. Conclusions Roughly a sixth of Yemeni schoolchildren have at least one DSM-IV psychiatric disorder, involving a level of distress or social impairment likely to warrant treatment

AB - Background The planning of child mental health services should be based on recent high-quality data on the prevalence and type of mental health disorders, and yet such data are not available in Yemen and many other Arab countries. Methods Representative samples of Yemeni 7-10 year olds (n = 1,210) were assessed using a two-phase design in an urban area and a one-phase design in a rural area. Psychopathology was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for screening purposes and the Development and Well-being Assessment to generate psychiatric diagnoses. Results The overall prevalence of DSM-IV disorders was 15.7% in Yemen (95% CI 11.7-20.2%). Anxiety disorders were the commonest diagnostic grouping in Yemen (9.3%, 95% CI = 5.8-12.8%), followed by behavioural disorders (7.1%, 95% CI = 4.4-9.9%) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; 1.3%, 95% CI = 0.1-2.5%). There were no significant urban-rural differences. Conclusions Roughly a sixth of Yemeni schoolchildren have at least one DSM-IV psychiatric disorder, involving a level of distress or social impairment likely to warrant treatment

U2 - 10.1007/s00127-007-0293-x

DO - 10.1007/s00127-007-0293-x

M3 - Article

SN - 1433-9285

VL - 43

SP - 224

EP - 230

JO - Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

JF - Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

IS - 3

ER -