Children with psychiatric disorders: The Al Ain community psychiatric survey

Abstract

Objective: The prevalence of child psychiatric morbidity in the community is unknown in most developing countries, including those in the Arab region. Method: An epidemiologic study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity and to determine the sociodemographic correlates in a sample of children in the community, aged 6 to 18 years, in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Results: We obtained a prevalence rate of 22.2% for overall morbidity, as classified in the DSM-1V, and 14.3% for those with significant dysfunction, with the most common diagnosis being mood disorders. Female sex, large family size, chronic life difficulties, family history of psychiatric disorder, and alcohol-related problems in a family member were significantly associated with DSM-IV diagnosis. Conclusion: Although the prevalence and symptomatology in this Middle East community are similar to those in Western studies, none of these children had received professional help, suggesting serious deficiencies in mental health care services in the country.