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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1956/1123

Title:	Co-existing symptoms and risk factors among African school children with hyperactivity-inattention symptoms in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors:	Kashala, Espérance Lundervold, Astri Sommerfelt, Kristian Tylleskär, Thorkild Elgen, Irene
Issue Date:	8-Mar-2006
Abstract:	The aims of the study were to explore hyperactivity-inattention symptoms and co-existing symptoms of emotional and behavioural problems among African school children and their relationship with health status, socio-demographic factors, and school performance. Method: A case-control approach was used. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to explore the co-existing emotional and behavioural symptoms and a semi-structured interview with parents to explore the socio-demographic variables. The sample included 357 school children at the age of seven to nine years: 183 children were defined as cases, defined by abnormal scores on the SDQ hyperactivity-inattention scale (SDQ-HI) and 174 randomly selected children among those with normal scores on the SDQ-HI were defined as controls. No age and gender differences were noticed between the two groups. Results: A younger maternal age at childbirth, and poor school performances were more frequent among cases than controls. Three quarter of the hyperactive-inattentive children had co-existing symptoms according to SDQ, the most common being conduct problems. Conclusion: As in other cultures, co-existence of hyperactivity-inattention symptoms and emotional and behavioural problems was found in this African setting. Further validation of behavioural screening instruments in African children is called for.
Description:	Pre-print from European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , Kashala E, Lundervold A, Sommerfelt K, Tylleskär T, Elgen I., Co-existing symptoms and risk factors among African school children with hyperactivity-inattention symptoms in Kinshasa, DR Congo, Copyright Springer
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/1956/1123
Appears in Collections:	Centre for International Health Department of Biological and Medical Psychology

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