Original Research Articles
Prevalence of Mental Health Problems and Associated Factors among the School Students Aged 13-15 Years in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka
Authors:
R. Surenthirakumaran ,
University of Jaffna, LK
About R.
Department of Community and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
S. Kumaran,
University of Jaffna, LK
About S.
Department of Community and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
P. A. D. Coonghe
University of Jaffna, LK
About P. A. D.
Department of Community and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine
Abstract
Introduction: Mental health problems have a noticeable effect on the academic and non-academic performance of the students. Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is one of the most widely used instruments for screening behavioural problems in children.
Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of mental health problems, and association of socio-cultural and school related factors on it among the school students aged 13-15 years in Jaffna District.
Methods: A school-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 800 students aged 13-15 years studying at government schools in Jaffna district from June 2016 to November 2017. The Tamil version of validated SDQ was used for this survey. Chi-squared test was performed and odds ratios were calculated. Independent variables with significant influence were entered to the logistic regression analysis, and individual contributions were identified. A p value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.
Results: The study sample consisted of 408 (51.0%) boys and 392 (49.0%) girls. It showed 21.5% (n=172) of the students had mental health problems. Boys had significantly (p<0.001) higher mental health problems than girls (26.5% vs. 16.3%). Mean scores for conduct (2.39; SD=1.63), hyperactivity (2.66; SD=1.82), peer (2.24; SD=1.74) subscales were significantly higher among boys, while the significantly higher score was obtained in emotional (3.22; SD=2.07) and pro-social (8.48; SD=1.5) scales among females. Gender, living with both parents, education level of mother and father, supplementation of vitamin A and folic acid, and performance in mathematics had a statistically significant association with the mental health status of the students.
Conclusions & Recommendations: Boys had more mental health problems compared to girls of the same age and several socio-cultural factors associated with it.
How to Cite:
Surenthirakumaran, R., Kumaran, S. and Coonghe, P.A.D., 2021. Prevalence of Mental Health Problems and Associated Factors among the School Students Aged 13-15 Years in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka. Journal of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, 27(2), pp.368–378. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/jccpsl.v27i2.8394
Published on
14 Sep 2021.
Peer Reviewed
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