PREVALENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS AMONG ADOLESCENTS LIVING IN ORPHANAGE FACILITIES OF DISTRICT PESHAWAR, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and determinants of behavioral problems among adolescents living in orphanage facilities of District Peshawar, Pakistan. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to July 2016 in the orphanages of District Peshawar, Pakistan registered with Social Welfare Department. Total of 360 adolescents of both genders of age group 10 to 19 years were included in the study. Data was collected using Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ). Data was analyzed using SPSS V16. RESULTS: Out of 360 adolescents 334 (92.8%) were males and 26 (7.2%) females. The prevalence of behavioral problem was 33.9%. Among the behavioral problems, conduct problem had the highest prevalence of 24.4% followed by emotional problem (18.6%), peer problem (18.1%), hyperactivity (8.3%) and pro-social behavior (2.8%). The results of cross comparative analysis showed that age, gender, type of orphanage and parent s status were significantly associated with behavioral problems (p 0.05). However, time period of institutionalization and age at parents demise had insignificant (p 0.05) association with behavioral problems. CONCLUSION: A high burden of behavioral problems was found among adolescents living in orphanages of District Peshawar. The determinants of behavioral problems found in this study, may be taken as target of intervention to reduce behavioral problems among adolescents living in orphanages.