Skip to main content
Log in

Sociodemographic differences in the prevalence of self-reported stomach pain in school children

  • Preventive Pediatrics and Epidemiology
  • Published:
European Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The study considered the prevalence of experienced stomach pain in a nationwide random sample of 2161 Icelandic 11–12 and 15–16-year-old school children. It found an 18.4% prevalence of „at least weekly” stomach pain and a 53.4% overall prevalence. The prevalence of stomach pain was significantly higher among younger children (P ≤ 0.001). Higher prevalence (P ≤ 0.001) of stomach pain was seen in girls in the overall sample and the gender difference was significant in both age groups. No overall class or residential differences were detected. However, the findings suggest some age-related links between social status and the experience of stomach pain. The frequency of stomach pain was moderately and significantly associated with medication use. The theoretical and clinical implications of the results are briefly discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aar LE, Wold B (1987) Health behavior in schoolchildren: a WHO cross national survey. Report from the 1985-86 study in 11 countries. University of Bergen, Research Centre on Health Promotion, Environment and Lifestyles, Bergen

    Google Scholar 

  2. Apley J, Naish N (1958) Children with recurrent abdominal pains: a field survey of 1000 school children. Arch Dis Child 33: 165–170

    Google Scholar 

  3. Beiter M, Ingersoll G, Ganser J, Orr DP (1991) Relationships of somatic symptoms to behavioral and emotional risk in young adolescents. J Pediatr 118: 473–478

    Google Scholar 

  4. Faull C, Nicol AR (1986) Abdominal pain in six-year-olds: an epidemiological study in a new town. J Pediatr Psychol 9: 77–86

    Google Scholar 

  5. Feldman W, Hodgson C, Corber S, Quinn A (1986) Health concerns and health-related behaviours of adolescents. Can Med Assoc J 134: 489–493

    Google Scholar 

  6. Levine MD, Rappaport LA (1984) Recurrent abdominal pain in school children: the loneliness of the long-distance physician. Pediatr Clin North Am 31(5): 969–991

    Google Scholar 

  7. McGrath PA (1990) Pain in children: nature, assessement and treatment. Chap 8: Recurrent pain syndromes. Guilford Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  8. Øster J (1972) Recurrent abdominal pain, headache and limb pains in children and adolescents. Pediatrics 50: 429–436

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kristjánsdóttir, G. Sociodemographic differences in the prevalence of self-reported stomach pain in school children. Eur J Pediatr 155, 981–983 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02282891

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02282891

Key words

Navigation