Prevalence and Patterns of Mental Health Disorders Among Children and Adolescents With Physical Illness at the Outpatient Department of Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Background: Mental health problems make a significant contribution to morbidity and mortality among the youth globally. Health care professionals in the general healthcare facilities are strategically placed to detect child and adolescents who present with mental disorders because of the common coexistence between physical and mental health. There is limited data available on the prevalence and patterns of mental disorders among children and adolescents with physical ailments in general outpatient settings in Kenya. This study aims to fill that gap. Aim: To establish the prevalence and patterns of mental disorders among children and adolescents with physical illness at the outpatient department of Kenyatta National Hospital, as well as exploring associated socio-demographic variables. Method: This was a cross-sectional study and the pediatric outpatient clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital is the study site. Data was collected from the children and adolescents presenting at the pediatric outpatient clinic. Data was collected using the MINI-KID screening tool for child and adolescent disorders and a researcher designed socio-demographic questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Studies version 23 for descriptive statistics, while tests for association were done via chi-square and regression tests. Results Those that screened positive for any disorder were 29.6% and those that screened negative were 70.4%. Out of those positive for a mental disorder, most screened positive for Eating and Movement disorders with both at 42.5%. There was a significant association between age and anxiety, Depression, Bipolar mood disorder, PTSD and suicidality. There was an association between education and movement disorders. There was also an association between marital status of guardians with movement disorders. Conclusion Nearly a third of the children and adolescents attending the outpatient department at Kenyatta National Hospital screened positive for a mental disorder with the most prevalent being Eating and Movement disorders. There is a need to screen for psychiatric morbidity in the Pediatric outpatient department for purposes of increasing detection rate.