ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:This research was conducted to determine whether children exposed to the violence of war such as those who lived through the civil war of East Timor in 1999, suffer developmental concerns and behavioral problems as evidenced by abnormal development quotients in at least 4 components of cognition and identification of inappropriate behavior. METHODOLOGY:This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in 1999 on children who lived in Liquica District, 25 km away from Dili, the capital city of East Timor during the massacres that took place between April-September 1999 during civil war of 1999 and who at that time were 2-4 years old but by the time they were tested were 7-9 years old. Healthy children who qualified and whose parents or guardians consented underwent a physical exam that included taking their height and weight. Their parents or guardians were given a questionnaire that included demographic, personal, family and social data as well as the child's school performance, health, and developmental status. RESULTS: Of the 100 children included in the study 69% were found to have difficulties in problem solving skills and below average skills in adapting (63%) and auditory memory (51%). Behavioral problems were identified in 92% of children manifested as temper tantrums, aggressive as well as timid behaviors. Thirty-seven percent had poor school performance noted as being retained in the same grade level and a mean grade of less than 6. CONCLUSION: Majority of children exposed to violence of war presented with developmental i.e. cognitive delays, behavioral problems and school difficulties.