Epidemiology of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents 6 -18 yearsold in Kurdistan province in 2016

Background and Aim: Psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents impose high costs on individuals, families and society, and are associated with significant problems in the future. The purpose of this study was to conduct the epidemiological study on psychiatric disorders in children between 6 and 18 years of age in Kurdistan Province in 2016. Material and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kurdistan Province in 2016. Using random cluster sampling and systematic method, 1016 people were selected and examined for psychiatric disorders by using a digital version of the K-SADS. Result: The results showed that the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the children and adolescents in Kurdistan Province in 2016 was 33.8% (34.4% of the boys and 33.1% of the girls). Anxiety disorders (21.9%) and behavioral disorders (16.3%) had the highest prevalence rates. Abuse disorders (0.7%) and psychotic disorders (0.9%) had the lowest prevalence rates respectively. The highest prevalence rates belonged to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (11.6%), oppositional defiant disorder (8.9%) and specific phobia (8.8%) respectively. Autism disorders (0.1%), substance use disorders (0.1%) and incopresis (0.1%) had the lowest prevalence rates. Conclusion: At least 33% of the children and adolescents in Kurdistan Province needed psychiatric outpatient and inpatient services. Awareness of this issue is essential to develop policies on prevention of mental illness, promotion of general health and provision of mental health services to people in Kurdistan Province. We should consider mental disorders of childhood and adolescence as a key risk factor for the future psychiatric problems