Socio-demographic correlates of mental and behavioural disorders of children in southern Ethiopia.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the magnitude and socio-demographic correlates of specific mental and behavioural disorders.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Butajira district, southern Ethiopia.


METHODS
The Amharic version of the Diagnostic Instrument for Children and Adolescents (DICA) was used to interview parents of 1,477 children.


METHODS
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Disruptive behaviour disorders, mood and anxiety disorders.


RESULTS
Using a multivariate logistic model, age was significantly associated with ADHD. Children between 10 and 14 years of age had more than three-fold increased risk of ADHD compared to younger children: adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (OR, 95% CI) = 3.17 (1.16, 8.67), p=0.02. Residence in urban area was also significantly associated with ADHD: adjusted OR (95% CI) = 2.84 (1.14-7.07), p=0.03. Disruptive behaviour disorders were significantly associated with increasing age: adjusted OR (95% CI) = 4.24 (1.43, 12.6). Mood and anxiety disorders were not significantly associated with any of the sociodemographic variable studied.


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows that age and residence in urban areas are significant correlates of behavioural disorders in children.
Ashenafi
Y
Y
Department of Community Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Kebede
D
D
Desta
M
M
Alem
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors