Prevalence and Determinants of mental health status among the school-going children in Chattogram, Bangladesh : A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Mental well-being is essential for the intellectual development, emotional health, and academic success of children. Growing academic expectations, home life, peer pressure, and increased exposure to the digital world, however, have together contributed to higher mental illness in school-going children. Anxiety, depression, and psychological distress are increasingly prevalent, further fueled by bullying, cyberbullying, and societal stigma.Schools play a vital role in the mental health of children, yet the majority of them are not adequately resourced for support. Therefore, the current study aims to explore the relationship between academic stress and mental health in school-going students, considering various contributory factors.

Methodology: The current study employs a cross-sectional design to assess the prevalence and determinants of mental health status in school-going students in Chattogram. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed, with schools randomly selected, followed by stratified random sampling for representation across various academic levels and disciplines. The study aims at high school students, with a required sample size of approximately 385 individuals, determined using statistical methods to ensure adequate analytical power. Data collection emphasizes voluntary response and informed consent, maintaining ethical standards. Result:

Study findings recognize prevailing socio-demographic characteristics, physical activity, substance use, injury experiences, and mental illness among 13 to 17-year-old female students in Chattogram. Most of them were from Grade 8 (49.3%), and parents of varying educational attainment. The higher proportion of the respondents (86.7%) were physically active, although sedentary behavior dominated. Smoking and alcohol drinking were not prevalent, with high peer resistance towards alcohol consumption. Although they experienced only minor fights or physical altercations among most of the students, a few (6.7%) had been subject to bullying incidents, and (32%) of them felt they were lonely. Thirty-two percent also had insomnia due to worrying, and (1.3%) had also thought about committing suicide. Such facts underscore direct intervention for students' mental wellness and promoting a healthier lifestyle. Conclusion: Finally, mental health plays an important role in the overall well-being and academic performance of children. Increasing academic, social, and technological pressures are the cause of increasing mental issues like anxiety, depression, and stress among school-going children. While environmental factors like the home and the peer group have some role to play in emotional health, the lack of adequate support networks in schools aggravates the issue. It advocates for the concerted efforts of families, schools, and communities to provide better resources, promote greater awareness, and support environments that improve children's mental health.