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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

29-04-2024 | Disturbance of the Social Behaviour | Research

Prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents in Bangladesh

Authors: Firoj Al-Mamun, Johurul Islam, Mohammad Muhit, Mohammed A. Mamun

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Abstract

Background

Emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents is a global concern. Previous studies conducted in Bangladesh have highlighted the importance to effectively prevent and address emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents to improve their psychological well-being. Despite these efforts, there remains limited research specifically addressing emotional and behavioral problems, conduct disorders, hyperactivity/attention disorders, and peer relationship problems among adolescents in Bangladesh in terms of age, gender, grade, and location. To address this knowledge gap, the present study aimed to comprehensively investigate the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems among school-going adolescents in Bangladesh.

Methods

The study employed a two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique to recruit a total of 1496 participants. The socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, such as age, gender, grade, location, birth order, family type, monthly family income, and parental education were collected. Emotional and behavioral problems were assessed using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), while the chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the data with STATA software.

Results

The prevalence of emotional disorder was 9.09% (7.73 − 10.65%). The rate was 21.72% (19.70 − 23.88%) for conduct disorder, 6.21% (5.09 − 7.55%) for hyperactivity, and for peer-relationship problem, the rate was 15.10% (13.37 − 17.01%) among adolescents. Overall, gender, grade, location, monthly family income, and parental education were significantly associated with emotional and behavioral problems. More specifically, adolescent girls (OR = 2.90 for the emotional disorder), grade (8th: OR = 2.07, 9th: OR = 1.95, for the emotional disorder), urban residents (OR = 2.46, for conduct disorder; OR = 2.29, for hyperactivity; OR = 2.03, for peer-relationship problem), poor monthly family income (OR = 2.84, for peer-relationship problem) significantly increased the risk of psychiatric morbidity.

Conclusion

The study highlights the need for school-based intervention programs to address adolescent emotional and behavioral problems. By targeting vulnerable individuals, these programs can effectively reduce mental health problems among adolescents.

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Title: Prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents in Bangladesh
Authors: Firoj Al-Mamun
Johurul Islam
Mohammad Muhit
Mohammed A. Mamun
Publication date: 29-04-2024
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Disturbance of the Social Behaviour
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-024-02673-7

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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