Evaluation of physical and mental health status of orphan children living in orphanages in Sonitpur district of Assam: a cross-sectional study

BMC Pediatrics

Research Article

Jagadish Basumatary¹  Pinky Goswami²  Plabita Majumder²  Putul Mahanta³  Chandana Kalita⁴  Kahua Das Thakuria⁵  Senjam Gojendra Singh⁶  Ranjumoni Knower⁷  Madhab Chandra Rajbangshi⁸ 

[1] Anesthesiology, Tezpur Medical College, 784010, Tezpur, Assam, India;Dentistry, Lakhimpur Medical College, 787001, Lakhimpur, Assam, India;Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Assam Medical College, 786002, Dibrugarh, Assam, India;Govt Dental College, 786002, Dibrugarh, Assam, India;Physiology, Tezpur Medical College, 784010, Tezpur, Assam, India;Psychiatry, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, 795004, Imphal, India;Radiology, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital, Barpeta, Assam, India;Surgery, Tezpur Medical College, 784010, Tezpur, Assam, India;

关键词: Balanced diet;    BMI;    Thinness;    Homeless children;    Mental health;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12887-022-03785-2

 received in 2022-05-19, accepted in 2022-11-30,  发布年份 2022

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundOrphan children living in orphanages are often neglected. These children's physical and mental health status is essential as they are highly prone to malnourishment and psychosocial distress. We aim to evaluate the orphan children's physical and psychosocial status living in orphanages.MethodsThis study adopted a cross-sectional research design conducted with the children living in the orphanages using a pretested, predesigned schedule. A total of 83 children (aged 5 to 19 years) living in three different orphanages in the Sonitpur District of Assam were randomly selected for the study. Body Mass Index (BMI) for age and height were then determined using WHO standards. Thinness was defined as BMI for age below -2 SD (Standard Deviation) and thinness as height for age below -2 SD. The behavioural and mental status of children aged 10–19 years were evaluated using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-21) with a cut-off value of SDQ score > 15 as the presence of emotional and behavioural distress.ResultsAlmost 50% of orphans were in the age group of 10–14 years, 62.7% were females, and 42.2% had a primary level of education. 52.5% of orphans exhibited severe thinness for < -3 SD. Observed severe thinness more among the 5–9 years and 10–14 years (p-value < 0.05) group and among the male orphans (p-value < 0.05). Of 65 children aged 10–19, 18.5% had behavioural and mental distress. Emotional (32.3%) and poor conduct problems (23%) were observed significantly among male adolescents.ConclusionsOrphaned children, particularly those living in orphanages, are at risk of malnutrition and experience behavioural and psychosocial problems. Frequent assessments of their physical and mental health are advocated for early detection, prevention, and timely intervention.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2022

【 图 表 】

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