Problem behaviors in 3-year-old children in the United Arab Emirates.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of behavioral disorders among 3-year-old children in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Although this type of study exists in the industrialized countries, very few studies have been undertaken in the developing countries.


METHODS
Six hundred ninety-four randomly selected 3-year-old UAE nationals were screened using the Child Behaviour Checklist for Ages 2-3.


RESULTS
Of the children in the study, 10.5% had scores in the clinical range. By using clinical interviews in stage 2 of high-scoring children and random samples of children with normal scores, the weighted prevalence for a clinically significant disorder in behavior was estimated to be 9.94%. A number of putative risk factors were identified, including perinatal factors, adverse family factors, and a positive family history of mental health problems.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of disordered behavior in this Arab culture and its risk factors are similar to those in developed countries. However, certain unique sociocultural determinants were also identified that have implications for the early detection of disordered behavior and care of children with disordered behavior.
Eapen
Valsamma
V
Faculty of Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, PO Box 17666, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. veapen@uaeu.ac.ae
Yunis
Feisal
F
Zoubeidi
Taoufik
T
Sabri
Sufian
S
D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data