RESUMO
Data from the United Arab Emirates about the mental health status of the younger population is limited. The current study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and risk for PTSD among school students post lockdown of the current COVID-19 pandemic. A sample of 3745 students and their parents across the country answered a web-based survey. Parents provided bio-demographic data and students answered questions from the Mood and Feeling Questionnaire (MFQ-Child Self-report), Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED-Child Version), and Childrens Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-8). Findings showed that the risk for PTSD was the most prevalent (40.6%), followed by symptoms of anxiety (23.3%), and depression (17.1%). For gender differences, symptoms of the three conditions were higher in female students by 6.9%. Moreover, symptoms of depression and anxiety were found to be higher among late adolescents. Further analysis revealed that having medical problems ({beta} = 2.0, p < 0.001) and witnessing the death of a close family member due to COVID-19 ({beta} = 1.7, p < 0.001) were positive predictors associated with PTDS, depression, and anxiety. The study concluded that post COVID-19 lockdown, symptoms of anxiety, depression, and risk for PTSD are prevalent among students in the UAE. Researchers recommend the initiation of a national school mental health screening program and the provision of follow-up services for vulnerable students. Another must-have is the integration of a mental health support system in the emergency and disaster preparedness future plans.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To shed light on types, family profiles, risk factors, and outcomes of child neglect in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was carried out at King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Cases of child neglect diagnosed by the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) team were reviewed. Data were extracted from patients' electronic charts and SCAN team records. RESULTS: A total of 309 cases of child neglect were diagnosed between 2015-2019. Mean age of victims was 4.4±4.1 years, and 51.8% were male gender.Supervisory neglect was the most common form (63.1%), followed by medical neglect (39.2%), emotional neglect (6.8%), physical neglect (5.5%), and educational neglect (3.2%). Children between the ages of one and 3 years were 3.3 times more likely to be victims of supervisory neglect and girls were 4.5 times more likely to be victims of educational neglect. Children living with ≥4 siblings were 7 times more likely to be victims of physical neglect and 1.9 times of medical neglect. With regard to emotional neglect, children of unemployed fathers were 3.5 times more likely to be parentally neglected than children of employed fathers. Worsening of the underlying disease (30%) and internal injuries (23.5%) were the most common consequences of neglect. Mortality attributed to neglect was documented in 8 (2.6%) children. CONCLUSION: Although child neglect is common in Saudi Arabia, it has not been recognized as an important cause of morbidity and mortality of children. This implies the need for a national protocol that would help identify high-risk families for early detection and implementation of prevention programs.
