OBJECTIVE: To examine the 5-year hospital prevalence of child and adolescent mental disorders from Central India. METHODS: Using systemic random sampling method, of the 4410 families screened, 4278 children (607 aged 0 to 3 y and 3671 between 4 to 16 y) attending outpatient services of department of pediatrics at the tertiary rural hospital from June 2006 through December 2010 were evaluated. Standardized appropriate psychometric tools were used for both groups. Diagnostic interviews were administered and DSM-IV diagnoses were determined by consensus between two psychiatrists. A comprehensive hospital registration system provided the denominator. RESULTS: Of the 4410 families screened, 4278 (97 %) of the subjects completed interviews. The overall prevalence of psychiatric disorders was found to be 20.8 %. Most common psychiatric disorders in group A were mental retardation (5.6 %) followed by epilepsy (2 %) whereas in group B, depressive disorder (3.73 %) were followed by non-organic enuresis (2.18 %) and ADHD (1.7 %). Eighty one percent of the parents from group A and 83 % of parents from group B of the children affected with psychiatric disorders and neurobehavioral problems had reported that they have had never thought of taking psychiatric consultation for their children. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study have helped in bridging and supporting the propositions in child epidemiology in India and also have implications for clinical training and practice.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the 5-year hospital prevalence of child and adolescent mental disorders from Central India. METHODS: Using systemic random sampling method, of the 4410 families screened, 4278 children (607 aged 0 to 3 y and 3671 between 4 to 16 y) attending outpatient services of department of pediatrics at the tertiary rural hospital from June 2006 through December 2010 were evaluated. Standardized appropriate psychometric tools were used for both groups. Diagnostic interviews were administered and DSM-IV diagnoses were determined by consensus between two psychiatrists. A comprehensive hospital registration system provided the denominator. RESULTS: Of the 4410 families screened, 4278 (97 %) of the subjects completed interviews. The overall prevalence of psychiatric disorders was found to be 20.8 %. Most common psychiatric disorders in group A were mental retardation (5.6 %) followed by epilepsy (2 %) whereas in group B, depressive disorder (3.73 %) were followed by non-organic enuresis (2.18 %) and ADHD (1.7 %). Eighty one percent of the parents from group A and 83 % of parents from group B of the children affected with psychiatric disorders and neurobehavioral problems had reported that they have had never thought of taking psychiatric consultation for their children. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study have helped in bridging and supporting the propositions in child epidemiology in India and also have implications for clinical training and practice.