Psychiatry Research EG

Background Children raised in orphanages have increased rates of psychiatric morbidity. Aims The study aimed to detect psychiatric morbidity and various sociodemographic factors associated with it among children raised in orphanages in Cairo. Participants and methods In all, 100 children were recruited from four orphanages: 25 from Nasr City orphanage for preschool girls; 25 from Heliopolis orphanage primary and preparatory boys; 25 from Maadi orphanage for preschool boys; and 25 from Hadaaek Al Kooba primary and preparatory girls. They were assessed using a General Health Questionnaire, a Child Behavior Checklist, a Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and the Holmes and Rahe stress scale (nonadults) between June and December 2013. Results The study found the following: (a) sexual and emotional abuse render the child prone to mental illness (General Health Questionnaire). (b) Change of teachers and orphanages render the child prone to emotional neglect and abuse, reactive attachment, oppositional defiance, and nocturnal enuresis. (c) Reactive attachment and oppositional defiance are more in male children. (d) Depression is more in teens. (e) Male teens are prone to sexual abuse. (f) Conduct and substance abuse is more in male teens. (g) Suicide, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse are strongly associated with sexual abuse. Conclusion This study concluded that there is a high rate of emotional and developmental disorders among orphanage children and are strongly inter-related with sociodemographic characteristics. Keywords: Abuse, depression, substance abuse