Development, behavioral problems and educational needs of children in a rural area of Saxony 2010/11 in relation to the socio-economic status

Abstract

One of the tasks of the health policy in the district of Sächsische Schweiz Osterzgebirge (Saxony/Germany) is to support preschool children with developmental disorders in order to facilitate school entry and further life. In the following we will focus especially on deficiencies of the social behaviour. The Youth Health Medical Service of the Health Offices conducts regularly kindergarten and school-entrance examinations. However tailored medical services can only be provided when current demand situation is clarified to which this cross-sectional study should contribute. To determine the family social situation and the behavioral problems of preschool children, about 1,800 preschool children were examined in the school entrance examination and questionnaires were distributed to the parents, which were analyzed in the period from August 2010 to February 2011. (n = 978). The questionnaire consists of a non-validated section of questions which is to ascertain the family social environment and to determine the socio-economic status of the family. The questionnaire also consists of a validated test (SDQ – Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire) to evaluate the behavioural aspect. The representation of the relationship between the variable of the social status and the behavioral problems was performed by a Kruskal-Wallis test. To calculate the risk for the expression of the relationship of the two variables, odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression. For almost all characteristics significant relation ships could be shown. For the SDQ – characteristic Hyperactivity a significant OR of 4. 24 [1.27 – 14.15] was determined. Therefore children in families with low social status compared to the children in high social status families had an increased risk by a factor of 4.24 to show a conspicuous problem value in this feature. Even a significant OR of 10.91 [1.46 – 81.38] could be shown in Children from lower social levels in relation to the Total Problem Value. Further evaluations were made in the direction of family habits (media consumption, time spent together, familiar rituals, healthy nutrition, regular daily routine etc.), Despite the use of a non-validated questionnaire, valid and representative results were obtained. The study thus delivers a robust picture of the health profile of the preschoolers in the region in terms of behavioral problems and can therefore serve as a basis especially for school and nursery planning.