Prevalence of psychiatric problems in school going adolescents (10-19 years)

Background: The period of adolescence is of immense importance in life of an individual. Adolescents are exceedingly vulnerable to psychiatric disorders. This study intended to explore prevalence and decoration of psychiatric problem in adolescents. Aims and Objective: The objective of this research was to study encumbrance and nature of psychiatric problems in school going adolescents in defined geographical area and their psychological correlates. Material & Method: A school based cross sectional study was conducted in month of July-August, 2018 in north India. In this study 1025 students in age group of 10-19 years from ten schools of north India participated. Screening was done by childhood psychopathological measurement schedule (CPMS) followed by detailed evaluation by ICD-10 criteria. Statistical analysis was done by chi-square test and percentage. Result: CPMS score ≥10 were observed in 289 (28.2%) students, with more common in mid adolescence and lower socioeconomic strata, working mother, single parents. Prevalence of psychiatric problems in adolescents according to ICD-10 criteria was found to be 20.8%. Conclusion: The alarming numbers of our adolescents suffer from psychiatric problems. There is need to raise public awareness about the prevalence of these often-hidden psychopathy in Indian adolescents