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Behavioral problems among children living in orphanage facilities of Karachi, Pakistan: comparison of children in an SOS Village with those in conventional orphanages

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Abstract

Purpose

This study compared the behavioral problems of children living in an SOS Village, which attempts to provide a family setup for its children, with those living in conventional orphanages.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 330 children, aged 4–16 years, living either in an SOS or other conventional orphanages of Karachi, and assessed their behavioral problems using strengths and difficulty questionnaire (SDQ). Behavioral problems on composite SDQ and subscales, rated by foster mothers, were compared between children in the two groups using χ2 test of independence. Multivariable models were built, using generalized estimating equations (GEE) regression approach, to identify factors independently associated with behavioral problems.

Results

The overall prevalence of behavioral problems was 33%. On univariate comparison, we found that groups did not differ in their overall behavioral problems, while they were significantly different on the peer problem scale (P = 0.026). The model for composite SDQ behavioral problems identified five factors: wasting, <5 years length of stay in the facility and foster mother’s depression, while facility type and sex of the child were part of a significant interaction. Foster mother depression, child’s malnourishment and fewer years of stay at the facility were associated with conduct problems, while the child’s sex, facility type and child’s parental living status were part of two interactions.

Conclusion

We found a high burden of behavioral problems among children living in orphanages of Karachi, Pakistan. Foster mothers’ depression and child’s nutritional status, which are associated with behavioral problems, can be target of interventions to reduce behavioral problems of children living in orphanages.

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Acknowledgments

We thank all the study participants, professionals and employees of the orphanages from where the data were collected: SOS Village, Karachi; Edhi home, Karachi; and Al-Banat Darul-Atfal, Karachi, as well as all the research team members who have worked and contributed to this research. Our special thanks are due to Professor Kausar S Khan, who was kind enough to give us guidance related to the subject.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan

    Zohra S. Lassi, Sadia Mahmud, Ehsan U. Syed & Naveed Z. Janjua

Authors
  1. Zohra S. Lassi
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  2. Sadia Mahmud
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  3. Ehsan U. Syed
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  4. Naveed Z. Janjua
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Correspondence to Zohra S. Lassi.

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Lassi, Z.S., Mahmud, S., Syed, E.U. et al. Behavioral problems among children living in orphanage facilities of Karachi, Pakistan: comparison of children in an SOS Village with those in conventional orphanages. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 46, 787–796 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-010-0248-5

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