Prevalence of nail-biting in children and its association with mental health in Pakistan

Abstract

Objectives
 To determine the prevalence of nail-biting among children in Karachi and its association with behavioral disorders. 
 Methodology
 Sample size was parents of 171 children between the ages 4-10 selected by convenience sampling. Data collection was conducted with a use of questionnaire in two hospitals of Karachi. All participants of the study were explained the purpose of the study and written consent was obtained.
 Results
 The overall prevalence of nail-biting in the sample was 39.2%. The prevalence in boys and girls was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). The mean total SDQ score was 15.3 (SD = 5.3) and the mean prosocial score was 6.8 (SD = 2.2). The comparison of the effect of a child’s schooling neither showed any significant effect on nail-biting frequency (P = 0.093) nor on SDQ score (P = 0.845).
 Conclusion
 To conclude more research should be done on the importance of nail biting in children, parents and pediatricians alike should pay special attention to children that bite their nails.