title: Epidemiological Study of Youth Mental Health Using Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prevention and treatment of youths` mental disorders are important, not just for to diminish their present problems but to improve their functions in adulthood. This study was performed to evaluate the mental health status of 6-18 years old youths in a community-based sample using the strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ).
  
  
  METHODS
  Parent of 2000 youths (6-18 years old) were selected from 250 clusters from different municipality areas of Isfahan, Iran and they responded to extended version of SDQ parent`s form. The mean score in each subscale and prevalence of symptom and relation with some demographic features were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total score of SDQ was 26%, means that 26% of youth had psychiatric problems. By determining the subscale score, it reveals that conduct disorder (34.7%) was the most common problem in youth followed by peer relationship problems (25.4%), emotional problems (24.5%), hyperactivity (23%) and impairment of prosocial behavior (5.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings showed that mental health of youth population in Isfahan especially the conduct problem needs more attention.
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Science Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keypour
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Maracy
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Attari