Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) amongst Nairobi Public Secondary School Children; Kenya

Background: There are few psychometric instruments whose properties have been studied in a developing country's context. Aim: To determine the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) in Nairobi public secondary school children; Kenya. Method: Concurrent self-administration of the MASC and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) to students in Nairobi public secondary schools. Results: The MASC had a high overall internal consistency alpha co-efficient (0.85) in the Kenyan sample; which is similar to Western findings; and is hence a reliable tool for measuring anxiety in the study population. It was also similar to the findings from two Western studies in the anxiety domains of physical symptoms; social anxiety; separation anxiety and harm avoidance. The correlation co-efficient with CDI was similar to Scandinavian findings. Conclusion: The MASC can be used in Kenyan children and; by extension; other Africa children

Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) amongst Nairobi Public Secondary School Children; Kenya

Background:There are few psychometric instruments whose properties have been studied in a developing country's context.Aim: To determine the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) in Nairobi public secondary school children; Kenya.Method: Concurrent self-administration of the MASC and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) to students in Nairobi public secondary schools.Results: The MASC had a high overall internal consistency alpha co-efficient (0.85) in the Kenyan sample; which is similar to Western findings; and is hence a reliable tool for measuring anxiety in the study population.It was also similar to the findings from two Western studies in the anxiety domains of physical symptoms; social anxiety; separation anxiety and harm avoidance.The correlation co-efficient with CDI was similar to Scandinavian findings.Conclusion: The MASC can be used in Kenyan children and; by extension; other Africa children

Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) amongst Nairobi Public Secondary School Children; Kenya

Background:There are few psychometric instruments whose properties have been studied in a developing country's context.Aim: To determine the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) in Nairobi public secondary school children; Kenya.Method: Concurrent self-administration of the MASC and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) to students in Nairobi public secondary schools.Results: The MASC had a high overall internal consistency alpha co-efficient (0.85) in the Kenyan sample; which is similar to Western findings; and is hence a reliable tool for measuring anxiety in the study population.It was also similar to the findings from two Western studies in the anxiety domains of physical symptoms; social anxiety; separation anxiety and harm avoidance.The correlation co-efficient with CDI was similar to Scandinavian findings.Conclusion: The MASC can be used in Kenyan children and; by extension; other Africa children

Traumatic Experiences of Kenyan Secondary School Students

Background: There is no information on the socio-demographic variations and determinants of Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Kenyan adolescents. Objectives: To describe the traumatic experiences of Kenyan high school students and to determine the levels of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among them; and in relation to sociodemographic variables. Design: A cross-sectional study of 1 110 students (629 males and 481 females); aged 12 to 26 years; using self-administered questionnaires. Method: The students completed questionnaires on sociodemographic data followed by the Trauma Checklist and the Child PTSD Checklist. Results: Being confronted with bad news was the most common type of trauma encountered in 66.7of the subjects; followed by witnessing a violent crime and domestic violence; 23.2and 16.5of the subjects reported physical abuse and sexual abuse respectively. PTSD symptoms were common; avoidance and re-experiencing occurred in 75of the students and hyperarousal was reported by over 50. The number of traumatic events was positively correlated with the occurrence of PTSD. The prevalence of full PTSD was 50.5; while partial PTSD was 34.8. Male and female subjects were equally affected but the boarders were more affected (p 0.05) and the differences between the schools were statistically significant (p

Traumatic Experiences of Kenyan Secondary School Students

Background:There is no information on the socio-demographic variations and determinants of Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Kenyan adolescents.Objectives: To describe the traumatic experiences of Kenyan high school students and to determine the levels of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among them; and in relation to sociodemographic variables.Design: A cross-sectional study of 1 110 students (629 males and 481 females); aged 12 to 26 years; using self-administered questionnaires.Method: The students completed questionnaires on sociodemographic data followed by the Trauma Checklist and the Child PTSD Checklist.Results: Being confronted with bad news was the most common type of trauma encountered in 66.7of the subjects; followed by witnessing a violent crime and domestic violence; 23.2and 16.5of the subjects reported physical abuse and sexual abuse respectively. PTSD symptoms were common; avoidance and re-experiencing occurred in 75of the students and hyperarousal was reported by over 50. The number of traumatic events was positively correlated with the occurrence of PTSD. The prevalence of full PTSD was 50.5; while partial PTSD was 34.8. Male and female subjects were equally affected but the boarders were more affected (p 0.05) and the differences between the schools were statistically significant (p

Traumatic Experiences of Kenyan Secondary School Students

Background:There is no information on the socio-demographic variations and determinants of Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Kenyan adolescents.Objectives: To describe the traumatic experiences of Kenyan high school students and to determine the levels of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among them; and in relation to sociodemographic variables.Design: A cross-sectional study of 1 110 students (629 males and 481 females); aged 12 to 26 years; using self-administered questionnaires.Method: The students completed questionnaires on sociodemographic data followed by the Trauma Checklist and the Child PTSD Checklist.Results: Being confronted with bad news was the most common type of trauma encountered in 66.7of the subjects; followed by witnessing a violent crime and domestic violence; 23.2and 16.5of the subjects reported physical abuse and sexual abuse respectively. PTSD symptoms were common; avoidance and re-experiencing occurred in 75of the students and hyperarousal was reported by over 50. The number of traumatic events was positively correlated with the occurrence of PTSD. The prevalence of full PTSD was 50.5; while partial PTSD was 34.8. Male and female subjects were equally affected but the boarders were more affected (p 0.05) and the differences between the schools were statistically significant (p