Study of family factors in association with behavior problems amongst children of 6-18 years age group

BACKGROUND: The ‘behaviour problems’ are having major impact on child's bodily and social development. The family provides emotional support to an individual as well as plays a major role in the formation of one's personality. The quality and nature of the parental nurturance that the child receives will profoundly influence his future development. The knowledge of these family factors associated with behaviour problems may be helpful to identify at risk children. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To study the family factors associated with behaviour problems amongst children of 6-18 Yrs age group. SETTING: an adopted urban slum area of Govt. Medical College, Miraj Dist-Sangli. DESIGN: Cross sectional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the sample size was calculated based upon 40% prevalence obtained in pilot study. Total 600 Children in the age group of 6-18 years residing in the urban slum area and their parents were interviewed with the help of predesigned, pretested proforma. Analysis: chi-square test and risk estimate with Odd's ratio. RESULTS: Our study result reveals significant association between prevalence of behaviour problems with absence of either or both real parents and alcoholism in the parent or care taker. CONCLUSION: The behaviour problems have good prognosis if they are recognized earlier. Family has great role in prevention of behaviour problems in children, so parental counseling may be helpful.