Ali Farhadi

Factors associated with mental health of high-school students in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Background Mental disorders of adulthood can be traced to childhood and adolescent disorders so attention to the mental health of young people is important. Objectives We aimed to determine the mental health status of high-school students in Khorramabad and the factors that may affect it. Methods This cross-sectional study included 1 202 high-school students in Khorramabad in the 2015-2016 academic year. Students were selected using stratified and multistage cluster random sampling. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics of the students, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) was used to assess symptoms of mental disorders. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the presence of symptoms of mental disorder and sociodemographic characteristics. Results The mean age of the students was 16.1 (SD 0.9) years and 52.7% were girls. Overall, 481 (40%) students (34% of males, 46% of females) had symptoms of mental disorders. Most had mild symptoms; 5% had severe symptoms. Symptoms of anxiety, depression and social impairment were seen in 40%, 33% and 32% of the students respectively; significantly more girls had these symptoms (P < 0.05). Female students, those in higher school grades, and those whose fathers were unemployed and mothers were housewives were significantly more likely to have symptoms of mental disorders (P < 0.05). Conclusions This study found a high prevalence of symptoms associated with mental disorders in the adolescents in Khorramabad. Counselling centres in schools are needed to offer psychiatric counselling services to students and to implement regular mental health training programmes.

Study of behavioural disorders in children with primary enuresis

Abstract Background: Enuresis results in behavioural disorder in children. This study investigated the behavioural disorders in children possessing primary enuresis. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 children with primary enuresis were referred to children’s hospital Khorramabad; the census method was used in this study. Data were collected using a short screening instrument for enuresis psychological problems, the reliability and validity of which have been confirmed in previous studies. First, a questionnaire was used to assess academic failure, anxiety, behavioural disorders, sleep, and psychological disorders. Results obtained were compared in terms of gender and age. Statistical analyses using inferential and descriptive statistics including Chi-square and Fisher test were employed. Results: The average age of children was 8.46 years. Sixty-six per cent of participants were male and the rest of them were female. Ninety per cent of subjects were between the age range of 1–9 years, and 10% were over 10 years old. Forty-three per cent of children suffered from anxiety disorders and 34% had sleep disorders, 4% also suffered from academic failure. Among behavioural disorders, hyperactivity and restlessness were the most common disorders, and they were significantly higher in nine boys. Headache, obsessive, and sleep disorders were more common in children above 10. There was a significant correlation between eating disorders, headache, sleep disorders, and strange movements in males, while feelings of sadness were more common in females. Conclusion: Social personality development in children with enuresis can be improved by informing parents of enuresis.