Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders among Children and Adolescents: A Study from Khuzestan

  Objective This cross-sectional study aimed to study the prevalence rate of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in Khuzestan province. Materials & Methods A community sample consisting of 1028 (51.6% female) children and adolescents aged 6-18 years was selected using a multistage cluster sampling method. Data were gathered using the Kiddie-SADSPresent and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) and a demographic questionnaire (i.e., gender, age, level of education, place of residence, parent’s education, and parent’s Job) Results Nearly 22.6% (22.3% of boys and 23% of girls) of all participants suffered from at least one psychiatric disorder. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of psychiatric disorders based on gender, age, father’s education, mother’s education, mother’s job, and father’s job (all p>0.05). Psychiatric disorders were significantlymore prevalent among children and adolescents in urban areas compared to rural places (2.9% vs. 8.1; p<0.001). The most prevalent category was anxiety disorders (15%). Also, the most common disorders were specific phobia (7%), separation anxiety disorder (6.3%), and enuresis (5.2%). The most common comorbid disorders were mood disorders and anxiety disorders (56.3%), followed by anxiety disorders and elimination disorders (32.1%). ConclusionPsychiatric conditions are prevalent in children and adolescents living in Khuzestanian. The study’s findings have important implications for providing effective psychiatric services.   &nbsp

Prevalence and Correlates of Psychiatric Disorders in a National Survey of Iranian Children and Adolescents

Objective: Considering the impact of rapid sociocultural, political, and economical changes on societies and families, population-based surveys of mental disorders in different communities are needed to describe the magnitude of mental health problems and their disabling effects at the individual, familial, and societal levels. Method: A population-based cross sectional survey (IRCAP project) of 30 532 children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years was conducted in all provinces of Iran using a multistage cluster sampling method. Data were collected by 250 clinical psychologists trained to use the validated Persian version of the semi-structured diagnostic interview Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-PL (K-SADS-PL). Results: In this national epidemiological survey, 6209 out of 30 532 (22.31%) were diagnosed with at least one psychiatric disorder. The anxiety disorders (14.13%) and behavioral disorders (8.3%) had the highest prevalence, while eating disorders (0.13%) and psychotic symptoms (0.26%) had the lowest. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders was significantly lower in girls (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.80-0.90), in those living in the rural area (OR = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.73-0.87), in those aged 15-18 years (OR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.86-0.99), as well as that was significantly higher in those who had a parent suffering from mental disorders (OR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.63-2.36 for mother and OR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.07-1.66 for father) or physical illness (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.17-1.35 for mother and OR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.10-1.28 for father). Conclusion: About one fifth of Iranian children and adolescents suffer from at least one psychiatric disorder. Therefore, we should give a greater priority to promoting mental health and public health, provide more accessible services and trainings, and reduce barriers to accessing existing services

Estimation of Validation and Reliability of Screening Test of Tobacco, Alcohol and Addictive Drugs in Iran

Objective: the aim of the present study was the estimation of validation and reliability test of ASSIST instrument in Iran. Method: our research populations were Iranian alcohol and drugs users and abusers in the year 1390 that had referred to rehabilitation camps and addiction treatment centers for self-improving. Sample sizes of 2600, average age 36/5, were selected by cluster random sampling in eight provinces. The ASSIST and demographic form exercised for all of sample group. Also in order to validity estimation, 300 number of main sample we interviewed by ASI, SDS, DAST and DSM-IV criteria. Findings: ASSIST reliability estimated by Cronbach’s alpha for all of domains was between %79 to %95. Data analyses showed fair criteria, construct, discriminate and multi dimension validity. These types of validity for other domains were Discriminative validity of the ASSIST was investigated by comparison of ASSIST scores as groupes of dependence, abuser and user. There were significant confirmation between this scores and DSM-IV scores. Construct validity of the ASSIST was investigated by statistical comparison with health scores. ASSIST's cut off points classify clients in 3 categories in term of intensity of addiction. Conclusion: we surely recommend researchers to use this instrument in research and screening purposes or other situations in Iran

The Construction and Norm-Finding of Rating Scale in Elderly Stressors

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to construct and norm-find a rating scale in elderly stressors Methods & Materials: We prepared a checklist including 100 items based on stressors scales and questionnaires, elderly problem checklists, sciences index and reference, interview with professional experts and elderly. The checklist was reduce to 45 items after review by experts and then to 40 items after initial analyses (pilot execution). Our Research population was total Elderly aged above 60 years old that had used insurance services in the year 1390. Sample sizes of 300 were selected by purposeful sampling and were interviewed by the use of target scale. 30 elderly of the sampling were retested by the target scale and test by holms and rahe scale and GHQ after 2 weeks. Results: Data analyses shows 6 factors that explain 68.47% of the total variance. The scale validity approved by content validity and correlation between scale scores and GHQ subscales confirmed construct validity of the scale. Scales reliability estimated by variety of methods, by Cronbach’s alpha is 0.95, by spearman brown is 0.84, test-retest is 0.79 and by pair form shows 0.81. Scale’s cut off point classify elderly in 5 category in term of intensity of stress include very low, low, moderate, sever and very sever. Conclusion: We recommend using this scale with confidence in research and screen purpose or other situation

Identification of the socio-cultural barriers of drug addiction treatment in Iran

Introduction: Socio-cultural norms can either be encouraging or a barrier to addiction treatment. More, rigorous research is needed on nonindigenous models in addiction treatment, to better understand the role of socio-cultural differences. Methods: The present qualitative study is part of the project, “The Inclusive Assessment of the Barriers of Drug Addiction Treatment Services in Iran,” which was conducted in Tehran from 2018 to 2021. The participants consisted of eight people who used drugs, seven individual family members of the people who used drugs participants, seven service providers, and four policymakers. A purposeful sampling method was used for the selection of the participants, and the process continued until reaching the theoretical saturation of data. Analysis used the Graneheim and Lundman methods, classifying primary codes, the sub-themes, and themes were classified according to the similarities and differences between primary codes. Finding: The most important socio-cultural barriers to addiction treatment in Iran are: unrealistic expectations of the family and society from the people who use drugs, addiction stigma, mistrust between various components of the treatment system, perceptions that professional substance use disorder treatment is inefficient and low uptake of that treatment, the disturbed relational boundaries between the people who use drugs and their relatives, the interweaving of treatment and ethical and religious principles, low acceptance of maintenance treatments, treatment focusing on short-term outcomes, and presence of facilitating backgrounds of using drugs. Conclusions: The Iranian socio-cultural characteristics play an important role in the addiction treatment of the people who use drugs, so it is necessary for treatment interventions to be sensitive to these characteristics

Epidemiology of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents 6 -18 yearsold in Kurdistan province in 2016

Background and Aim: Psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents impose high costs on individuals, families and society, and are associated with significant problems in the future. The purpose of this study was to conduct the epidemiological study on psychiatric disorders in children between 6 and 18 years of age in Kurdistan Province in 2016. Material and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kurdistan Province in 2016. Using random cluster sampling and systematic method, 1016 people were selected and examined for psychiatric disorders by using a digital version of the K-SADS. Result: The results showed that the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the children and adolescents in Kurdistan Province in 2016 was 33.8% (34.4% of the boys and 33.1% of the girls). Anxiety disorders (21.9%) and behavioral disorders (16.3%) had the highest prevalence rates. Abuse disorders (0.7%) and psychotic disorders (0.9%) had the lowest prevalence rates respectively. The highest prevalence rates belonged to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (11.6%), oppositional defiant disorder (8.9%) and specific phobia (8.8%) respectively. Autism disorders (0.1%), substance use disorders (0.1%) and incopresis (0.1%) had the lowest prevalence rates. Conclusion: At least 33% of the children and adolescents in Kurdistan Province needed psychiatric outpatient and inpatient services. Awareness of this issue is essential to develop policies on prevention of mental illness, promotion of general health and provision of mental health services to people in Kurdistan Province. We should consider mental disorders of childhood and adolescence as a key risk factor for the future psychiatric problems

Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Factors of Bipolar Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Identifying the Principal Predictors

Objectives: Our objective is to measure the prevalence of bipolar mood disorder (BMD) in Iranian children and adolescents and its comorbidity with psychiatric disorders. Also, the main purpose of this study is to characterize the main risk factors for BMD in children and adolescents. Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study. In a community-based study, we sampled 1000 children and adolescents from the age of 6 to 18 years in each province via the multistage cluster sampling method. The total valid sample size reached 29 812 cases. The instructed clinical psychologists completed the Persian version of the kiddie schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia present and lifetime version (K-SADS-PL). Furthermore, the demographic data were obtained. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics, multinomial, and multiple logistic regressions were utilized to evaluate the relationships. Results: The total prevalence rates for BMD were 0.29%; it was 0.26% in males and 0.29% in females. BMD rates were larger in children and adolescents whose mothers had an occupation. Also, after controlling the effective variables (sex and age), location (rural or urban), the father’s education, and the psychiatric hospitalization of the mother or the father, none predicted BMD significantly. Moreover, patients with comorbidities showed a superior prevalence compared to those without comorbidities, ranging from 1.96% for posttraumatic stress disorder to 39.22% for the oppositional defiant disorder. Conclusion: BMD was more prevalent among women. The gender or the father’s education level was not the risk factor for BMD symptoms. Several factors, such as maternal education and maternal job were also important for the prevalence of BMD symptoms

Epidemiology of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents 6 -18 yearsold in Kurdistan province in 2016

Background and Aim: Psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents impose high costs on individuals, families and society, and are associated with significant problems in the future. The purpose of this study was to conduct the epidemiological study on psychiatric disorders in children between 6 and 18 years of age in Kurdistan Province in 2016. Material and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kurdistan Province in 2016. Using random cluster sampling and systematic method, 1016 people were selected and examined for psychiatric disorders by using a digital version of the K-SADS. Result: The results showed that the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the children and adolescents in Kurdistan Province in 2016 was 33.8% (34.4% of the boys and 33.1% of the girls). Anxiety disorders (21.9%) and behavioral disorders (16.3%) had the highest prevalence rates. Abuse disorders (0.7%) and psychotic disorders (0.9%) had the lowest prevalence rates respectively. The highest prevalence rates belonged to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (11.6%), oppositional defiant disorder (8.9%) and specific phobia (8.8%) respectively. Autism disorders (0.1%), substance use disorders (0.1%) and incopresis (0.1%) had the lowest prevalence rates. Conclusion: At least 33% of the children and adolescents in Kurdistan Province needed psychiatric outpatient and inpatient services. Awareness of this issue is essential to develop policies on prevention of mental illness, promotion of general health and provision of mental health services to people in Kurdistan Province. We should consider mental disorders of childhood and adolescence as a key risk factor for the future psychiatric problems

Social anxiety disorder among children and adolescents: A nationwide survey of prevalence, socio-demographic characteristics, risk factors and co-morbidities

Background: Social anxiety disorder is a frequent psychiatric disorder. We aimed to estimate the life-time prevalence, socio-demographic characteristics, risk factors and co-morbidities of this condition among children and adolescents. Methods: This was a cross sectional national survey conducted in Iranian individuals aged 6 to 18 years. Face-to-face household interviews were performed by trained clinical psychologists. The Farsi version of the kiddie schedule for affective disorders and schizophrenia for school-age children/present and lifetime version (K-SADS-PL) was administered to estimate the SAD prevalence. Parental personality traits and their psychopathologies were also obtained using Millon clinical multiaxial inventory, third edition (MCMI-III) to find the possible risk factors. Results: From 29,878 participants, 585 individuals were diagnosed with SAD and weighted lifetime prevalence of 1.8 was observed. The odds of this condition was significantly higher among older adolescents (odds ratio (OR):1.47; 95 confidence interval(CI): 1.11-1.95) and individuals with paternal history of psychiatric hospitalization (OR: 2.96; 95CI: 1.29-6.79). Higher means of persistent depression disorder (OR: 1.009; 95CI: 1.000-1.018) and melancholic personality trait (OR: 1.007; 95CI: 1.001-1.014) in mothers as well as schizophrenia spectrum (OR: 1.014; 95CI: 1.001-1.027) and anxiety (OR: 1.010; 95CI: 1.010-1.021) in fathers were statistically associated with higher odds of SAD in their children. Other anxiety disorders and behavioral disorders were the most prevalent co-morbidities. Limitations: The cross-sectional analysis does not enable analyses of possible causal associations. Lacking control group and follow-up periods were other major limitations that should be resolved in future studies. Conclusion: Clinicians and researchers need to continue studying this condition at all levels and in all developmental periods