Behavioral Disorders in Children: An Example of Primary Health Care

BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Background-aim: In this study; it is aimed to evaluate the destructive behavioral disorders in children between the age of 6-18 years old  who applied to various family health centers in Ankara.

Method: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study including 674 children and 337 parents who applied to family health centers in 4 different districts in Ankara. It is organized according to STROBE criteria. Results: 54.4% of the children were boys and 45.6% were girls. In children, attention deficit -hyperactivity disorder was found to be 9.9%, oppositional defiant disorder was 9.9% and behaviour disorder was 3.0%. Compared to married couples, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was significantly more prevalent in children of divorced parents. Behaviour disorder was found to be significantly higher in families with low income.  Diagnosis of attention deficit-hyperactivity was higher in boys than girls. Children with chronic illnesses and history  of major accident ,poisoning or severe febrile disease had a significantly higher incidence of oppositional defiant disorder than healthy children and children who do not have any history.

Conclusion: Primary health care institutions have a strategic position in recognizing childhood mental/ behavioral disorders, it is important to increase the number of studies related to the subject in terms of protecting the social mental health.