Naila Z Khan1, Asma Begum Shilpi1, Razia Sultana1, Shaoli Sarker2, Sultana Razia2, Bipasha Roy2, Abu Arif2, Misbah Uddin Ahmed3, Subas Chandra Saha4, Helen McConachie5. 1. Clinical Neurosciences Unit, Bangladesh Protibondhi Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 2. Department of Paediatric Neuroscience, Dhaka Shishu (Children's) Hospital, Bangladesh. 3. Upazila Health Complex, Ukhia, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. 4. Department of Paediatrics, Cox's Bazar Medical College Hospital, Cox's Bazar,, Bangladesh. 5. Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, U.K.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The 2017 political violence against the Rohingya people in the state of Rakhine resulted in a large influx of displaced populations into Bangladesh. Given harsh conditions and experiences in Myanmar, and the harrowing journey to the border, raised levels of child neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and mental health problems were expected. METHODS: A team of child development professionals, physicians, psychologists, and developmental therapists screened 622 children in clinics within the refugee camps using the Developmental Screening Questionnaire (DSQ; 0-<2 years), and the Ten Questions Plus (TQP) for NDDs, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; 2-16 years) for mental health problems. Any child positive on the DSQ or the TQP was assessed for NDDs. RESULTS: Only 4.8% children aged 0-<2 years and 7.3% children aged >2-16 years screened positive for NDDs, comparable with a local Bangladesh population. However, 52% of children were in the abnormal range for emotional symptoms on the SDQ, and 25% abnormal for peer problems. Significant risk factors were being parentless and having lost one or more family members in the recent crisis. CONCLUSIONS: This screening study provides objective evidence of the urgent need for psychosocial support of Rohingya children within camps, with special attention to those without parents, including monitoring of their well-being and counselling of families and other care providers.
BACKGROUND: The 2017 political violence against the Rohingya people in the state of Rakhine resulted in a large influx of displaced populations into Bangladesh. Given harsh conditions and experiences in Myanmar, and the harrowing journey to the border, raised levels of childneurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and mental health problems were expected. METHODS: A team of child development professionals, physicians, psychologists, and developmental therapists screened 622 children in clinics within the refugee camps using the Developmental Screening Questionnaire (DSQ; 0-<2 years), and the Ten Questions Plus (TQP) for NDDs, and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; 2-16 years) for mental health problems. Any child positive on the DSQ or the TQP was assessed for NDDs. RESULTS: Only 4.8% children aged 0-<2 years and 7.3% children aged >2-16 years screened positive for NDDs, comparable with a local Bangladesh population. However, 52% of children were in the abnormal range for emotional symptoms on the SDQ, and 25% abnormal for peer problems. Significant risk factors were being parentless and having lost one or more family members in the recent crisis. CONCLUSIONS: This screening study provides objective evidence of the urgent need for psychosocial support of Rohingya children within camps, with special attention to those without parents, including monitoring of their well-being and counselling of families and other care providers.
Authors: Megan S McHenry; Lauren Y Maldonado; Ziyi Yang; Gertrude Anusu; Evelyn Kaluhi; Astrid Christoffersen-Deb; Julia J Songok; Laura J Ruhl Journal: Glob Health Sci Pract Date: 2021-12-21
Authors: Jakub Klas; Aleksandra Grzywacz; Katarzyna Kulszo; Arkadiusz Grunwald; Natalia Kluz; Mikołaj Makaryczew; Marzena Samardakiewicz Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-26 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Abu S G Faruque; Azharul Islam Khan; S M Rafiqul Islam; Baitun Nahar; M Nasif Hossain; Yulia Widiati; A S M Mainul Hasan; Mukeshkumar Prajapati; Minjoon Kim; Maya Vandenent; Tahmeed Ahmed Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-08-02 Impact factor: 3.240