The prevalence of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders among 7–10 year old Yemeni schoolchildren

Background The planning of child mental health services should be based on recent high-quality data on the prevalence and type of mental health disorders, and yet such data are not available in Yemen and many other Arab countries. Methods Representative samples of Yemeni 7–10 year olds (n = 1,210) were assessed using a two-phase design in an urban area and a one-phase design in a rural area. Psychopathology was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for screening purposes and the Development and Well-being Assessment to generate psychiatric diagnoses. Results The overall prevalence of DSM-IV disorders was 15.7% in Yemen (95% CI 11.7–20.2%). Anxiety disorders were the commonest diagnostic grouping in Yemen (9.3%, 95% CI = 5.8–12.8%), followed by behavioural disorders (7.1%, 95% CI = 4.4–9.9%) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; 1.3%, 95% CI = 0.1–2.5%). There were no significant urbanrural differences. Conclusions Roughly a sixth of Yemeni schoolchildren have at least one DSM-IV psychiatric disorder, involving a level of distress or social impairment likely to warrant treatment