scholarly journals Epidemiology of child mental health problems in Gaza Strip

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-412
Author(s):  
A. A. Mousa Thabet ◽  
P. Vostanis

The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of behavioural and emotional problems among Palestinian children. The study enrolled 959 children from the Gaza Strip, 453 boys and 506 girls. Ages ranged from 6 to 12 years, with a mean of 8.81 years. Teachers completed the Rutter scale B2. The results showed that the case incidence in boys was 247 [54.5%], while in girls it was 215 [46.5%]. The differences between boys and girls were statistically significant, with boys rated by teachers with a significantly higher caseness. The teachers rated 48% of the children as at or above the cut-off level of 9. Factor analysis of the scale revealed the following three factors: antisocial behaviour-aggression, anxiety-fearfulness, and school phobia.

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Abdelaziz M. Thabet ◽  
Sanaa S. Thabet

<p><em>Aim:</em><em> This study investigated the relationship between trauma due to winter storm Alexa, PTSD and other mental health problems of Palestinian in Gaza Strip.</em><em> </em><em>Method:</em><em> The sample consisted of 105 males (50%) and 105 females (50%) selected from three of the most affected areas by flooding in 2014 due to Alexa storm in Gaza Strip. Participants age range was 20-65 years, with a mean age 40.88 (SD = 9.8)</em><em>,</em><em> with a mean age of years. Mental health status was assessed by a sociodemographic scale, the Trauma Due to Flood Scale, PTSD scale, and General Health Questionnaire (28 items). Results: Mean traumatic events experienced were 7.8. There were no statistically significant differences between males and females in reporting traumatic events. Mean post-traumatic stress disorder was 18.65, re-experiences symptoms was 6.4, avoidance symptoms was 5.7 and mean arousal symptoms was 5.73. </em></p><p><em>The study showed that 34.8% reported full criteria of PTSD. There were no statistically significant differences in PTSD total scores and subscales and sex of participants. Mean GHQ-28 was 12.12, somatization mean was 3.21, anxiety was 3.31, social dysfunction was 3.34, and depression was 2.27, 91% of the participants were rated as psychiatric morbidity cases and need further investigation. Males significantly scored more in social dysfunction than females. Traumatic events were significantly correlated with PTSD and general mental health and all subscales.</em><em> </em><em>Conclusion and implications</em><em>: </em><em>This study has important implications for need of establishing and implementing psychosocial intervention programs for in the Gaza Strip not only for those victims of political violence but also for people exposed to other types of traumatic events such as natural disasters. </em></p>


2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamia Thabet ◽  
Abdel Aziz Mousa Thabet

Lamia Thabet, Abdel Aziz Mousa Thabet, Sajida Abdul Hussein and Panos Vostanis report on a study that aimed to establish the level of emotional problems among 115 children aged 9–16 years (average 13.4), who were living in two orphanages in the Gaza Strip. The children's age of admission to the orphanage (average 8.8 years) was higher than in traditional orphanages in other countries. This was related to the reasons for admission, following their father's death, and the inability of their remaining family to care for them. However, children retained substantial contact with their family of origin by visiting during school holidays (88.6%) or being visited at the unit (97.4%). Using previous standardised mental health measures completed by the children and their main carers, children demonstrated high rates of anxiety, depressive and post-traumatic stress reactions. These mental health problems were strongly inter-related but were not found to be associated with social/care variables. Potential implications of the findings for orphanages and other residential units in developing countries are discussed. These should take into consideration the socio-cultural characteristics of each country and limited local resources; involve non-governmental organisations and local communities; tackle wider stigmatising attitudes; and instill a child-centred philosophy within these settings.


2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. Thabet ◽  
S. Matar ◽  
A. Carpintero ◽  
J. Bankart ◽  
P. Vostanis

Health ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 07 (08) ◽  
pp. 994-1006
Author(s):  
Abdel Aziz Thabet ◽  
Ahmed Abu Tawahina ◽  
David Henley ◽  
Henrick Pelling ◽  
Panos Vostanis ◽  
...  

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-421
Author(s):  
A. A. Thabet ◽  
Y. Abed ◽  
P. Vostanis

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 286 Palestinian children 9-18 years of age and their mothers in the Gaza Strip. Traumatic events recollected by children living in areas of conflict, the prevalence of post-traumatic stress reactions and the relationship between children’s and mothers’ mental health were investigated. The Gaza Traumatic Events Checklist, Impact of Event Scale [IES] and General Health Questionnaire [GHQ] were used to measure outcome. Children experienced on average four traumatic events; one-third reported significant post-traumatic stress reactions. IES scores were higher among girls and mothers’ GHQ scores significantly predicted children’s IES scores.


Author(s):  
Huan Wang ◽  
Cody Abbey ◽  
Xinshu She ◽  
Scott Rozelle ◽  
Xiaochen Ma

Assessing the mental health problems encountered by school children and understanding the contributing factors are crucial to inform strategies aimed at improving mental health in low-resource contexts. However, few studies have investigated the mental health problems among disadvantaged children in poorer countries. This study examines the prevalence of mental health problems in rural China and their association with child and family characteristics. The study uses survey data from 9696 children in 120 rural primary schools and measures child mental health using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Overall, 17.9% of the sample children were found to be in the abnormal range of the SDQ total difficulties scores. The mean score was 12.93 (SD = 4.94). Abnormal scores were associated with child and family characteristics, including older child age (Odds Ratio, OR = 0.704, 95% CI: 0.611, 0.810; p < 0.001), gender (OR = 1.235, 95% CI: 1.112, 1.371; p < 0.001), and academic performance (OR = 0.421, 95% CI: 0.369, 0.480; p < 0.001). Reading time was found to be protective for mental health. Risk factors include excessive screen time (OR = 1.685, 95% CI: 1.409, 2.016; p < 0.001) and being bullied (OR = 3.695, 95% CI: 3.301, 4.136; p < 0.001). Our study suggests that future mental health illness prevention programs in rural China should consider targeting different aspects of children’s social contexts.


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