PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN - AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY1

An epidemiological study was conducted in Madurai to assess the prevalence of psychiatric problems in school children using Rutter B Scale. After screening 755 children by Rutter B Scale, 207 children were subjected to clinical evaluation and parental interview. Psychiatric morbidity was found to be 33.7%. The prevalence rate for (Afferent disorders were as follows: Conduct disorder 11.1%; Enuresis 14.3%; Hyperkinetic Syndrome 1.7%; Mental retardation 2.9%. Low intelligence, lower socio-econemic status and lack of parental involvement in children's studies were significantly related to psychiatric morbidity. The Rutter B Scale is an useful screening instrument in epidemiological surveys.