Psychiatric Disorders in Iranian Children and Adolescents: Application of the Kiddie-sads-present and Lifetime Version (K-sads-pl)

Abstract

Objective The aim of the present study was toinvestigate the epidemiology of psychiatric disorders in adolescents in fiveprovinces of Iran: Tehran, Shiraz, Esfahan, Tabriz and Mashhad. Method In the present study, 9636 children and adolescents aged 6-18 yearswere selected from Tehran, Shiraz, Esfahan, Tabriz and Mashhad. The clinicalpsychologists were instructed to complete the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), then each of them that received high score in SDQ, completethe Persian version of Kiddie-Sads-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). Oneway ANOVA was used totest for significant differences of disorders according to sex, age and province of residence. Result Based on the results, the highest prevalenceof psychiatric disorders in the five provinces was related to conduct disorder (20.9%), and the lowest prevalence was related to substance abuse andalcohol abuse (0%). Also, ADHD had the most prevalence in boys (23.6%) and ODDhad the most prevalence in girls (19%). Among the 5 provinces, Tehran and Shiraz allocated the highest rates of ODD; Esfahan, Tabriz andMashhad had the highest rates of social phobia Conclusion In this study, the highest prevalence ofpsychological problems in the five provinces was related to conduct problems, and the lowest prevalence was related to substance abuse andalcohol abuse. It was determined that girls have more ODD than boys. In the current study, theprevalence of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in the urbanpopulation in Tehran province was higher than expected.