Evaluation of physical and mental health status of orphan children living in orphanages in Sonitpur district of Assam: a cross-sectional study

Autor: Putul Mahanta, Kahua Das Thakuria, Pinky Goswami, Chandana Kalita, Ranjumoni Knower, Madhab Chandra Rajbangshi, Senjam Gojendra Singh, Jagadish Basumatary, Plabita Majumder
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2022
Předmět:
Zdroj: BMC Pediatrics, Vol 22, Iss 1, Pp 1-7 (2022)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-022-03785-2
Popis: Abstract Background Orphan children living in orphanages are often neglected. These children's physical and mental health status is essential as they are highly prone to malnourishment and psychosocial distress. We aim to evaluate the orphan children's physical and psychosocial status living in orphanages. Methods This study adopted a cross-sectional research design conducted with the children living in the orphanages using a pretested, predesigned schedule. A total of 83 children (aged 5 to 19 years) living in three different orphanages in the Sonitpur District of Assam were randomly selected for the study. Body Mass Index (BMI) for age and height were then determined using WHO standards. Thinness was defined as BMI for age below -2 SD (Standard Deviation) and thinness as height for age below -2 SD. The behavioural and mental status of children aged 10–19 years were evaluated using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-21) with a cut-off value of SDQ score > 15 as the presence of emotional and behavioural distress. Results Almost 50% of orphans were in the age group of 10–14 years, 62.7% were females, and 42.2% had a primary level of education. 52.5% of orphans exhibited severe thinness for
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals