scholarly journals Psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in a middle-income Latin American country

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar ◽  
Jerome Flores ◽  
Carolang Escobar ◽  
Alfonso Urzúa ◽  
Matías Irarrázaval
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Elementary Education ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Sample Population

Abstract Background: Child and adolescent mental health has scarcely been studied in developing countries, though it is an important aspect of health. Mental health problems in youth often continue into adulthood if not diagnosed or treated in time.Methods: The Sistema de Evaluación de Niños y Adolescentes (SENA) [Child and Adolescent Evaluation System] was used to evaluate mental health indicators in a sample of students in Northern Chile. Two age-appropriate versions of the assessment were applied to a total sample of 5,043 students, which included an elementary education sample of 1,953 schoolchildren from fourth grade through sixth grade (ages 8 to 13 years), and a Secondary School sample of 3,090 schoolchildren from seventh grade (the last year of elementary school) through the last year of Secondary school (senior high school) (ages 12 to 19 years). For each group, the version of the assessment used was determined by the students’ grade level. Both samples included municipal, government-subsidized, and private schools.Results: In this student population, depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders were the main mental health problems identified, and indicators revealed a progressive increase in cases over the years, coinciding with the global epidemiological scenario. Males showed a greater presence of externalizing behaviors related to mental health problems associated with aggression and defiant behavior. However, females showed the highest number of mental health issues overall, especially regarding problems related to internalization. There are significant differences between school types.Conclusions: Our sample population analysis indicates that early intervention is necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of youth, with the goal of reducing the probability that psychiatric disorders will be prolonged, evolving, and worsening in adulthood.

scholarly journals Psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in a middle-income Latin American country

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar ◽  
Jerome Flores ◽  
Carolang Escobar ◽  
Alfonso Urzúa ◽  
Matías Irarrázaval
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Elementary Education ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Sample Population

Abstract Background Child and adolescent mental health has scarcely been studied in developing countries, though it is an important aspect of health. Mental health problems in youth often continue into adulthood if not diagnosed or treated in time. Methods The Sistema de Evaluación de Niños y Adolescentes (SENA) [Child and Adolescent Evaluation System] was used to evaluate mental health indicators in a sample of students in Northern Chile. Two age-appropriate versions of the assessment were applied to a total sample of 5,043 students, which included an elementary education sample of 1,953 schoolchildren from fourth grade through sixth grade (ages 8 to 13 years), and a Secondary School sample of 3,090 schoolchildren from seventh grade (the last year of elementary school) through the last year of Secondary school (senior high school) (ages 12 to 19 years). For each group, the version of the assessment used was determined by the students’ grade level. Both samples included municipal, government-subsidized, and private schools. Results In this student population, depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders were the main mental health problems identified, and indicators revealed a progressive increase in cases over the years, coinciding with the global epidemiological scenario. Males showed a greater presence of externalizing behaviors related to mental health problems associated with aggression and defiant behavior. However, females showed the highest number of mental health issues overall, especially regarding problems related to internalization. There are significant differences between school types. Conclusions Our sample population analysis indicates that early intervention is necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of youth, with the goal of reducing the probability that psychiatric disorders will be prolonged, evolving, and worsening in adulthood.

scholarly journals Psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in a middle-income Latin American country

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Caqueo-Urízar ◽  
Jerome Flores ◽  
Carolang Escobar ◽  
Alfonso Urzúa ◽  
Matías Irarrázaval
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Elementary Education ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Population Analysis ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Sample Population

Abstract Background Child and adolescent mental health has scarcely been studied in developing countries, though it is an important aspect of health. Mental health problems in youth often continue into adulthood if not diagnosed or treated in time.Methods The Sistema de Evaluación de Niños y Adolescentes (SENA) [Child and Adolescent Evaluation System] was used to evaluate mental health indicators in a sample of students in Northern Chile. Two age-appropriate versions of the assessment were applied to a total sample of 5,043 students, which included an elementary education sample of 1,953 schoolchildren from fourth grade through sixth grade (ages 8 to 13 years), and a secondary education sample of 3,090 schoolchildren from seventh grade (the last year of elementary school) through the last year of secondary school (senior high school) (ages 12 to 19 years). For each group, the version of the assessment used was determined by the students’ grade level. Both samples included municipal, government-subsidized, and private schools.Results In this student population, depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders were the main mental health problems identified, and indicators revealed a progressive increase in cases over the years, coinciding with the global epidemiological scenario. Males showed a greater presence of externalizing behaviors related to mental health problems associated with aggression and defiant behavior. However, females showed the highest number of mental health issues overall, especially regarding problems related to internalization.Conclusions Our sample population analysis indicates that early intervention is necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of youth, with the goal of reducing the probability that psychiatric disorders will be prolonged, evolving, and worsening in adulthood.

Child Mental Health in Latin America: Present and Future Epidemiologic Research

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiane Duarte ◽  
Christina Hoven ◽  
Carlos Berganza ◽  
Isabel Bordin ◽  
Hector Bird ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adolescent Mental Health ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Latin American Countries

Objective: This report reviews population studies of child and adolescent mental health carried out in Latin America over the past 15 years. Also considered is the issue of how to meet the needs of children and adolescents who may present mental health problems in Latin America, given that most of them live in poverty in economies that are underdeveloped, providing limited resources. Method: Ten studies from six different countries were identified that employed some form of randomized sampling method and used standardized instruments for assessment. The authors present a summary of the main characteristics of these studies, highlighting methodological features that may account for differences in the rates obtained. Results: Overall, a similar pattern of prevalence and risk factors for mental health problems in children and adolescents in Latin American countries emerged. Moreover, rates of disorders in these children are similar to the 15 to 20% found in other countries. These findings are similar to those observed when adult mental health problems are considered. Prevention and treatment strategies are discussed and the peculiarities of the delivery of mental health services for children and adolescents are explored. Conclusions: Future research needs to focus on understanding of resilience and formal and informal mental health delivery systems of care available in different Latin American countries. Such research has high potential for ameliorating the prevention and treatment of child and adolescent mental health problems in this region of the world.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in General Practice

2001 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Garralda
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Child And Adolescent ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Undergraduate Teaching ◽  
Further Development

Objective: This review discusses the role of general practitioners and primary care health staff in the assessment, treatment and prevention of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders and to consider implications for service delivery. Method: Literature review. Papers were selected as having an empirical evidence base or as describing and documenting new initiatives in general practice. Results: A small proportion of about 3% of children present to general practice with behavioural or emotional problems, but psychiatric disorders in the context of somatic presentations are considerably more common. They are probably higher than in the general population reflecting an increased tendency by children with disorders to consult. Recognition by general practitioners is limited and few children with disorders are referred to specialist clinics. However, referrals are mostly appropriate: the more severely affected children in difficult psychosocial circumstances. A number of pilot studies have shown the feasibility and potential usefulness of setting up shifted specialist clinics in primary care and of training primary care doctors and other staff in the recognition or management of child mental heath problems. Conclusion: Primary care is an appropriate resource to help increase attention to child and adolescent mental health problems. Its potential requires further development and rigorous evaluation. Areas lending themselves to development include: improved medical undergraduate teaching and postgraduate training; suitable information and advice-giving on child mental health problems by the primary care team; the development of specific child and adolescent psychiatric interventions for use in the primary care setting; careful and discriminating development of shifted outpatient clinics for selected child psychiatric disorders; the development of focused protocols for referral to specialist services; further development of mental health promotion clinics in primary care.

scholarly journals Mental Health in Children with Cerebral Palsy: Does Screening Capture the Complexity?

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. Bjorgaas ◽  
I. Elgen ◽  
T. Boe ◽  
M. Hysing
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Screening ◽  
Mental Health Screening ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Bergen Child Study

Introduction. Children with cerebral palsy (CP), one of the most common childhood neurological disorders, often have associated medical and psychological symptoms. This study assesses mental health problems compared to population controls and the ability of a mental health screening tool to predict psychiatric disorders and to capture the complexity of coexisting symptoms.Methods. Children with CP (N=47) were assessed according to DSM-IV criteria using a psychiatric diagnostic instrument (Kiddie-SADS) and a mental health screening questionnaire (SDQ). Participants from the Bergen Child Study, a large epidemiological study, served as controls.Results. Children with CP had significantly higher means on all problem scores including impact scores. Two in three children scored above 90th percentile cutoff on Total Difficulties Score (TDS), and 57% met criteria for a psychiatric disorder, yielding a sensitivity of 0.85 and a specificity of 0.55. Mental health problems coexisted across symptom scales, and peer problems were highly prevalent in all groups of psychiatric disorders.Conclusion. A high prevalence of mental health problems and cooccurrence of symptoms were found in children with CP compared to controls. Screening with SDQ detects mental health problems, but does not predict specific disorders in children with CP. ADHD is common, but difficult to diagnose due to complexity of symptoms. Mental health services integrated in regular followup of children with CP are recommended due to high prevalence and considerable overlap of mental health symptoms.

scholarly journals Role of School Health Officers in Mental Health Care for Secondary School Students in Can Tho City, Vietnam

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 801-811
Author(s):  
Dat Tan Nguyen ◽  
E. Pamela Wright ◽  
Tam Thi Pham ◽  
Joske Bunders
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
School Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
School Students ◽  
Can Tho City

Abstract The objectives of the study were to explore the experiences of school health officers in identifying and managing mental health problems of secondary school students and to gather recommendations from the school officers for improving the effectiveness of mental health care in secondary schools in Can Tho City, Vietnam. We conducted a qualitative study based on in-depth interviews using a semi-structured guideline with 15 school health officers at 15 secondary schools in Can Tho City, Vietnam. Data were analyzed using content-driven analysis to identify recurring themes. The school health officers reported that stress, depression, suicidal ideation, and sexual orientation issues were the most commonly encountered mental health problems among their students. The officers worked with a limited range of interventions for helping these students, such as giving non-narcotic analgesics or advising students to take a short break at school or to go home. Most of them felt that their training was insufficient to deal with mental health problems in an optimal way. They recommended further training to improve their knowledge and skills in recognizing and managing mental health problems in students. They also considered a university-sponsored mental health website a good source of information on mental health care for students. School health officers reported that they did not feel well equipped to manage mental health problems because of insufficient training, lack confidence, and absence of an appropriate network for advice and referral. Updated policies and programs are needed for initial training and refresher courses, which will strengthen the role of school health officers as first line support for secondary school students with mental health problems.

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