Behavioural problems among schoolchildren in Nigeria

Background: Behavioural problems among schoolchildren can pose a burden on families and society. Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of behavioural problems among children living in Uyo, a town in South-South Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 572 pupils from six primary schools selected randomly from private and government schools in Uyo. Pupils with a normal IQ were selected using a systematic sampling method. The Rutter behavioural scale for teachers (B2) was completed by their teachers, and that for parents (A2) was completed by the parents. Student's t-test was used to compare pairs of means, frequencies were compared using the chi-square test, and p<0.05 was taken as significant. Results: According to the teachers' scale 132 pupils (23.1%) had scores within the range indicating behavioural problems, compared with 103 pupils (18.0%) on the parents' scale. This was statistically significant (χ2=19.8, p=0.001). Pupils in government and private schools had mean scores of 7.4 (standard deviation (SD) 6.41) and 5.12 (SD 6.26) and 7.29 (SD 5.84) and 6.96 (SD 5.76), respectively. Behavioural problems were more common among children in government schools and among those in the lower socio-economic class. Boys had significantly higher mean scores than girls, and both scales showed more boys to be disturbed. Antisocial behaviour was commonest among boys and older children. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of behavioural problems among primary school children in Uyo, with a predominance of antisocial behaviour. The government needs o provide appropriate services to deal with this state of affairs

Some Behavioural Risk Factors for Intestinal Helminthiasis in Nursery and Primary School Children in Enugu; South Eastern Nigeria

The objective of this study was to determine some common behavioural risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis in nursery and primary school children in Enugu. Design: A cross-sectional survey on 460 children attending nursery and primary schools in Enugu was carried out in 2003 with a view to determine some behavioural risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis. Setting: This study was carried out in the research laboratory of the Federal Ministry of Health; National Arbovirus and Vector Research Centre; Enugu. Method: Intestinal helminthiasis was diagnosed using the kato-katz method in analysing fresh stool samples collected from nursery and primary school children in Enugu. These fresh stool samples were collected into appropriately labeled clean containers. Questionnaires were administered by the researchers to obtain data from the children and their parents or guardians as regards some behavioural risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis . Results: The results from this study showed that the prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis was significantly affected by various behavioural risk factors. The rate of helminthic infection varied significantly with hand washing habits after defeacation (X2 = 75.77; df = 2; p = 0.001) and with different habits of washing fruits before eating ( X2 = 52.79; df = 2; p = 0.001) among the pupils. Also; the rate of helminthic infection varied significantly with the source of drinking water (X2 = 55.12; df = 3; p = 0.01); water boiling habits (X2 = 40.89; df = 2; p = 0.001); use of footwear after school hours (X2 = 30.72; df = 2; p = 0.001). Sites utilized for defeacation by the pupils (X2 = 80.25; df = 3; p = 0.001) also significantly influenced the rate of helminthic infection. Conclusion: Various behavioural factors which significantly affect the rate of helminthic infection abound in children living in Enugu. The government should give attention to the control of these behavioural risk factors. A lot of health education will be needed to curb the poor personal hygienic habits which are obvious risk factors for intestinal helminthiasis