One in four children faces mental disorder: Study
Around one-fourth of children in Bangladesh is suffering from some forms of mental health problem, says a study of National Institute of Mental Health.
The survey, conducted with financial assistance of WHO, Bangladesh, says children growing up in rural areas are more prone to mental health problems than their urban counterparts.
Lower level of education of parents, history of mental illness in the family and past head injuries have been identified as the reasons behind the mental health problems.
The report (2009) on 'Survey measuring the rate of mental illness, retardation, epilepsy and drug addiction among children' was revealed at the institute conference room in the city yesterday.
Some 4,700 children, between the age of five and seventeen, from 38 upazilas under 15 districts have been selected as the respondents of the study.
It says around 24.2 percent of the surveyed children act and behaves in ways that are unusual compared to 95 percent of the population.
As much as 17.5 percent of the children suffering from mental health problems are from rural areas while14.3 percent from cities, says the survey.
“The problems include autism, severe depression, bipolar mood disorders, communication disorders, lack of attention, hyper activity, unintentional urination, conversion disorder and irrational fears,” said Prof Dr Golam Rabbani, director of National Institute of Mental Health.
“These problems are rising in the country as we are going through rapid social and economic change along with increased family problems, violence and poverty,” warns Dr Rabbani, also principal researcher of the study.
Two percent of the surveyed population is suffering from epilepsy, 3.8 percent from intellectual disability, 0.8 percent from drug addiction and 18.4 percent from various forms of mental health problems, reveals the study.
The report also highlights a lack of awareness about mental health problems in the country, which it says may make a child unproductive and burden to their family.
Another WHO report says 9.5 percent to 29 percent of children in most of the countries are suffering from various mental health problems.
A study (2005) found that 16.1 percent of Bangladesh's adult population are suffering from some forms of metal health disorder.
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