Behavioral problems of children at age of 7-11 years old in foster care centers

Every year, thousands of children admitting in Foster Care Centres, because of several reasons. Most children live in foster care centers, as a results of neglect, physical abuse, parental substance abuse, divorce and social-economic poverty. In addition, living in Foster Care Centres cause a lot of health behavioral problems in the children. With regard to this issue, mental health status of 7-11 years old children living in foster care centres in Tehran was assessed. We performed a cross-sectional study with 105 children [57 boy, 48girl] liring in the centers. In this research, the sampling method was census. The required information about children's mental health was obtained by interview of the Child Behavioral Checklist [CBCL] from guardians who recognized these children on the basis of their behaviors. The result showed that the frequency of behavioral problems in these children were as follows: Delinquent [44.8%], externalizing [40%], internalizing [40%], social problems [13.3%] and aggression [11.4%]. Furthermore, the obtained total scores of questionnaire showed that more than 28% of these children had mental health problems. Chi-square test showed that there were significant relationships between attentional problems and mental health with gender. On the basis of these findings and the results of other studies, paying full attention, assessment and further studies on high risk groups of children were recommended

Mothers' awareness, regarding orodental health of their children at age of 1-6 years old

Orodental health is one of the most important aspect of children's health. Care of mouth and teeth is important in children during childhood, because it guarantees the appropriate raising of permanent teeth. Therefore, mothers' awareness about orodental health is important, as a foundation for health promotion planning for children. The aim of this study, was to determine the knowledge of mothers about their childreans orodental health at age of 1-6 years old. This was a cross-sectional study in which, questionnaires and interviews were used as tools for data gathering. Five hundred mothers of children at age of 1-6 years old, were selected by random sampling method that took part in the study. About 8.6% of mothers had low level knowledge, 44% had moderate knowledge and 47.4% had good knowledge regarding orodental health in children [P=0.000]. The ANOVA test showed that significant correlation between the variables of knowledge and mothers' age as well as, mothers' education, children's age, economic situation of the families and residence area. As mothers have great responsibilities about children's orodental health, therefore increasing knowledge regarding this issue is important and planning educational programs for mothers would be necessary