Prevalence and risk factors of unexplained somatic symptoms in school-aged children of Sharkia Governorate

Abstract

Background Somatization in children consists of the persistent experience and complaints of somatic distress that cannot be fully explained by a medical diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of unexplained somatic symptoms and their relation to emotional symptoms in school-aged children. Participants and methods The sample included 294 children recruited from four primary schools of Sharkia Governorate. All the children were between 6 and 12 years of age, were from both sexes, and had no social limitation. All participants were subjected to psychiatric assessment for somatic symptoms by the Children's Somatization Inventory. They were also assessed for depression by the Child Depression Inventory and for anxiety by the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale. Results The prevalence rate of somatic symptoms was 13%, that of depression was 9%, and that of anxiety was 21%. Somatic symptoms were correlated with emotional symptoms. Conclusion This study concluded that there was a high rate of somatic and emotional symptoms in school children that were interrelated with sociodemographic characteristics.