ABSTRACT
Objective: Most children experience some degree of fear during their development. Excessive fears can create serious obstacles to children. The aim of this study was to identify the most common fears in a sample of children and adolescents and examine the socio-demographic correlates of fears. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during the period from July 2010 to February 2012 at Public and Private Schools of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, State of Qatar. Out of 2188 students approached, 1703 students agreed to participate in this study, with a response rate of 77.8%. The questionnaire includes socio-demographic information, academic performance, behaviour at home and various fears. Results: More than half of the children experienced fears (56.7%). Most of them were in the intermediate level, 12 – 15 years old (46.1%). Overall, reported fears were significantly more frequent in girls (62.6%) than boys (37.4%) (p<0.001). A significant difference was observed between girls and boys who experienced fears in their age group (p<0.001), education of mother (p=0.04), household income (p=0.008) and academic performance (p<0.001). The most frequent reported fears were fear of someone dying in the family (85.2%), parents getting divorced (84.5%), breaking religious law (82%), being kidnapped (78.2%), family members ill (78%) and dying (76.7%). Conclusions: The study findings revealed that fears were highly prevalent in Arab children and adolescents in Qatar. Girls reported more fears than boys. There was a significant difference observed between girls and boys in their age group and academic performance for the reported fears.
ABSTRACT
Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the proportion of probable schizophrenia in Arab population visiting primary health care centers and investigate its associated biologic and environmental factors. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Primary Health Care (PHC) centres, Supreme Council of Health, Qatar, between January 2009 to December 2010. Subjects: Of 1491 Arab patients approached, 1148 patients agreed to participate in the study (77%). Methods: The study was based on a face to face interview with a designed questionnaire including socio-demographic, biologic and environmental factors. A diagnostic screening questionnaire which consisted of 6 questions about the symptoms of schizophrenic disorders was used for the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Results: Of the studied subjects, 11.7% of them were diagnosed with schizophrenia. A significant association was observed between schizophrenic and non-schizophrenic patients in terms of age group (p=0.048), BMI (p=0.019), gender (p=0.027), ethnicity (p=0.008), marital status (p=0.001), occupation (p<0.001), household income (p<0.001) and place of residence (p=0.039). Obstetric complications were significantly higher in schizophrenic patients with a higher frequency of pregnancy stress (31.3%; p<0.001) and diabetes (20.1%; p=0.008). Among the obstetric complications, Rhesus incompatibility (OR 2.74; 95% CI (1.16-6.47); P=0.021) and pregnancy stress (OR 2.51; 95% CI (1.60-3.94); P<0.001) were the major predictors for the development of schizophrenia. Delivery complications of asphyxia (17.9%; p=0.003), uterine atony (10.4%; p=0.028) and emergency caesarean section (17.2%; p=0.024) were significantly higher in mothers of the patients. Urban upbringing (OR 1.60; 95% CI (1.02 - 2.50); P<0.037) and social isolation (OR 1.72; 95% CI (1.06-2.74); P<0.027) were the main significant environmental risk factors for schizophrenia. Conclusion: An increasing schizophrenia risk with obstetric complications was observed in the study sample. Rhesus incompatibility and pregnancy stress were the main predictors for schizophrenia.