Study Of Prevalence And Risk Factors Of Behavior Problems Among Preschool Children In Chengdu

ObjectivesThe study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of behavioral problems among preschool children in Chengdu.MethodsIn the study,30 kindergartens in the central urban area of Chengdu were selected by cluster random sampling method between Oct.and Dec.2021.The Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire(PSQ)was used to screen behavior problems among preschool children in the kindergartens.The questionnaire on risk factors for behavior problems was used to investigate associated factors for behavioral problems among preschool children.Data was collected by a self-administered questionnaire via WJX(an online survey platform,www.wjx.cn).The statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0 statistical software(IBM Corp.,USA).χ2/Fisher test was used for compare the frequency difference between groups,and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated factors for the behavior problemsResultsThe overall prevalence of behavior problems was 13.5%among the preschool children in Chengdu.Of all behavior problems,the prevalence of conduct problems was 3.0%.Logistic regression analysis showed that eating dessert or snacks,picky eating,short sleep duration(<10 hours/day),lamplight exposure during sleep(≥3 nights/week),watching TV for a long time(>2 hours/day),and smoking or passive smoking during pregnancy were the main risk factors for conduct problems among the preschool children(P<0.05).The prevalence of learning problems was 3.3%.Logistic regression analysis showed that picky eating,watching TV for a long time(>2 hours/day),and smoking or passive smoking during pregnancy were the main risk factors for learning problems among the preschool children(P<0.05).The prevalence of psychosomatic disorder was 4.8%.Logistic regression analysis showed that picky eating,short sleep duration(<10 hours/day),watching TV for a long time(>2 hours/day),smoking or passive smoking during pregnancy and gestational disease were the main risk factors for psychosomatic disorder among the preschool children(P<0.05).The prevalence of impulse-hyperactivity was 4.1%.Logistic regression analysis showed thateating dessert or snacks,picky eating,short sleep time(<10 hours/day)or long sleep duration(>12 hours/day),lamplight exposure during sleep(≥3 nights/week),watching TV for a long time(>2 hours/day),and smoking or passive smoking during pregnancy were the main risk factors for impulse-hyperactivity among the preschool children(P<0.05).The prevalence of anxiety among the preschool children was 4.4%.Logistic regression analysis showed that younger age,picky eating,short sleep duration(<10 hours/day),watching TV for a long time(>2 hours/day),and smoking or passive smoking during pregnancy were the main risk factors for anxiety(P<0.05).The prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)was 3.7%.Logistic regression analysis showed that male,eating dessert or snacks,picky eating,short sleep duration(<10 hours/day),lamplight exposure during sleep(≥3 nights/week),watching TV for a long time(>2 hours/day),and smoking or passive smoking during pregnancy were the main risk factors for ADHD among the preschool children(P<0.05).ConclusionsBehavior problems were moderately prevalent among the preschool children in Chengdu.Male,younger age,eating dessert or snacks,picky eating,short(<10 hours/day)or long sleep duration(>12 hours/day),lamplight exposure during sleep(≥3 nights/week),watching TV for a long time(>2 hours/day),smoking or passive smoking during pregnancy,and gestational disease were the main risk factors for behavior problems among the preschool children.