Epidemiology of child mental health problems in Gaza Strip

Abstract

The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of behavioural and emotional problems among Palestinian children. The study enrolled 959 children from the Gaza Strip, 453 boys and 506 girls. Ages ranged from 6 to 12 years, with a mean of 8.81 years. Teachers completed the Rutter scale B2. The results showed that the case incidence in boys was 247 [‎54.5%]‎, while in girls it was 215 [‎46.5%]‎. The differences between boys and girls were statistically significant, with boys rated by teachers with a significantly higher caseness. The teachers rated 48% of the children as at or above the cut-off level of 9. Factor analysis of the scale revealed the following three factors: antisocial behaviour-aggression, anxiety-fearfulness, and school phobia