Does Child Friendliness of Schools Influence Prevalence of Depressive Disorders among School Going Adolescents? – A Study in Two Southern Districts of Karnataka

Introduction: More than 16% morbidity among adolescent age group is caused by mental health disorders. The early occurrence of psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression in adolescent age is associated with mental, physical and social squeal in future life. Thus, early detection of mental health disorders and their prompt treatment will help the adolescents to lead a socially and economically productive life. In this background the present study was conducted to assess the influence of child friendliness on prevalence of depressive disorders among adolescents in selected JSS Schools in Mysuru and Chamarajanagara districts of Karnataka. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 18 randomly selected upper primary and high schools from July to December 2019. A total of 400 students aged between 11 to 16 years were included in the study. The mental health status, demographic details, and child-friendliness of schools were assessed using validated self-administered questionnaires and checklists. Results: The prevalence of depressive disorders among adolescent children was 4%. The presence of depressive disorders among respondents was associated with the location of the school, current scholastic year, father’s occupation, relationship with siblings and child-friendliness of the respective schools. Conclusion: The major modifiable factor associated with the depressive disorder was childfriendliness of the schools according this study. Hence more attention has to be paid and collective efforts have to be made by managements, governments and the community to improve the child-friendliness of schools and thereby mental health status of its students.