Assessment of mental health status among adolescent school children in Karnataka

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Original Article

Author Details : Apoorva E Patel, Srividya J*, Sunil Kumar D R, Suresh V C

Volume : 8, Issue : 2, Year : 2021

Article Page : 63-66

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijfcm.2021.013

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Abstract

Background: India has the largest population of adolescents in the world (1/5th of world’s adolescents)with4-33% prevalence of mental health disorders. The present study was conducted to assess the mental health status of adolescent school going children in Karnataka.
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 375 adolescent school going children aged 10-15 years in a private school in Karnataka (June-August 2019). Students were interviewed by pretested questionnaire after obtaining informed assent from the school administrators and primary care givers. The questionnaire included 4 different domains viz., Educational, Physical health, Emotional and Social factors. Scores ranged between 0 – 41 and interpreted as higher the scores better the mental health status of student. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 24.
Results: Out of 375 participants, 48.8% were girls and 51.2% were boys with mean age of 12.7 yrs. Overall 12.5% students had abnormal mental health status, which was more among girls (15.4%) compared to boys (9.9%) and it was statistically significant (p < 0 xss=removed> Conclusions: This study shows that abnormal mental health status is prevalent among adolescents and more among girls. Of the 4 domains, Physical health was most affected. This problem needs addressal with well defined school-based intervention programs.
 

Keywords: Adolescent, Karnataka, Mental health, School children.

How to cite : Patel A E, Srividya J, Sunil Kumar D R, Suresh V C, Assessment of mental health status among adolescent school children in Karnataka. Indian J Forensic Community Med 2021;8(2):63-66

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