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The prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders among 7–10 year old Yemeni schoolchildren

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Abstract

Background

The planning of child mental health services should be based on recent high-quality data on the prevalence and type of mental health disorders, and yet such data are not available in Yemen and many other Arab countries.

Methods

Representative samples of Yemeni 7–10 year olds (n = 1,210) were assessed using a two-phase design in an urban area and a one-phase design in a rural area. Psychopathology was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for screening purposes and the Development and Well-being Assessment to generate psychiatric diagnoses.

Results

The overall prevalence of DSM-IV disorders was 15.7% in Yemen (95% CI 11.7–20.2%). Anxiety disorders were the commonest diagnostic grouping in Yemen (9.3%, 95% CI = 5.8–12.8%), followed by behavioural disorders (7.1%, 95% CI = 4.4–9.9%) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; 1.3%, 95% CI = 0.1–2.5%). There were no significant urban-rural differences.

Conclusions

Roughly a sixth of Yemeni schoolchildren have at least one DSM-IV psychiatric disorder, involving a level of distress or social impairment likely to warrant treatment.

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Acknowledgments

This study was partially supported by Save the Children Sweden. The authors are grateful to the Education Authorities in Hadramaut and Lahj and to all parents, teachers and interviewers involved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, King’s College London Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK

    Robert Goodman

  2. Dept. of Psychiatry, Hadramaut University, Fuah, Yemen

    Abdullah Alyahri

Authors
  1. Abdullah Alyahri
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  2. Robert Goodman
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Correspondence to Robert Goodman.

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Alyahri, A., Goodman, R. The prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders among 7–10 year old Yemeni schoolchildren. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 43, 224–230 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-007-0293-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-007-0293-x

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