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The impact of perinatal and socioeconomic factors on mental health problems of children from a poor Brazilian city: a longitudinal study

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Abstract

Background

Low birth weight and preterm birth, and social disadvantage may negatively affect mental health of children, but findings have been inconsistent.

Objectives

To assess the influence of perinatal and social factors on mental health problems in children aged 7–9 years.

Methods

A random sample of 805 births in São Luís, Brazil was studied in 1997/1998 and again in 2005/2006. Perinatal, socioeconomic and demographic variables were assessed within 24 h after delivery. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to assess mental health problems in the children. Simple and multiple Poisson regressions were used for statistical analysis.

Results

The overall prevalence of mental health problems in the total sample was 47.7%. The prevalences of emotional and conduct problems were 58.2 and 48.8%, respectively. Only paternal age (<20 years) was associated with mental health problems as measured by the full SDQ scale (prevalence ratio PR = 1.27). Children born to single mothers (PR = 1.31) and those with birth weight from 1,500 to 2,499 g (PR = 1.18) and from 2,500 to 2,999 g (PR = 1.17) had a higher risk of emotional problems, but those from low income families had a lower risk (PR = 0.80). Children with a father of less than 20 years had a higher risk of having problems with their peers (PR = 1.75). A maternal education of 9 years or over was inversely associated with peer (PR = 0.70) and conduct problems (PR = 0.73). Girls had a lower risk of conduct (PR = 0.77) and hyperactivity problems (PR = 0.68). A maternal education of 4 years or less increased the risk of hyperactivity (PR = 1.48).

Conclusions

Socioeconomic and demographic conditions were better predictors of mental health problems in children than birth weight or preterm birth. However, since most effect sizes were small most mental health problems were, unexplained by the variables in the study.

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Acknowledgments

We are indebted to all the participants and schools which helped us to identify the children for our follow-up survey. The present study was financed by Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) and Conselho Nacional para o Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPQ).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil

    Juliana D. M. Rodriguez & Antônio A. M. da Silva

  2. Departamento de Puericultura e Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

    Heloisa Bettiol & Marco A. Barbieri

  3. Department of Psychological Medicine, Weston Education Centre, King’s College London, London, SE5 9RJ, UK

    Roberto J. Rona

Authors
  1. Juliana D. M. Rodriguez
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  2. Antônio A. M. da Silva
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  3. Heloisa Bettiol
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  4. Marco A. Barbieri
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  5. Roberto J. Rona
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Correspondence to Juliana D. M. Rodriguez.

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Rodriguez, J.D.M., da Silva, A.A.M., Bettiol, H. et al. The impact of perinatal and socioeconomic factors on mental health problems of children from a poor Brazilian city: a longitudinal study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 46, 381–391 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-010-0202-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-010-0202-6

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