| dc.description.abstract | Background: Mental health contributes immensely to the emotional, psychological, and social
well-being of school children, which affects their learning achievements and growth.
Socioeconomic status, family, school stress, academic pressure, and peer relations all contribute to
mental health outcomes. Positive social relations promote resilience, while negative social
relations such as bullying and academic pressure increase vulnerability to anxiety and depression.
Adolescence is a high-risk age, with 16% of global health burden due to mental disorders. In low-
and middle-income countries like Bangladesh, challenges like teenage pregnancy, limited mental
health resources, and behaviors that put health at risk worsen the situation. Social determinants
like gender norms and financial constraints further limit access to care. The prevalence and
determinants of mental health disorders in school-going children will be assessed through this
cross-sectional study to inform policies that provide an environment of support within schools and
enhance adolescent well-being.
Methodology: Prevalence and determinants of mental health among school students in Chattogram
district will be ascertained by a cross-sectional study. A multi-stage sampling method will be used,
where the schools will be selected randomly and subsequently stratified within the sampled schools
for varied representation. Data will be collected via standardized questionnaires in the interviews,
focusing on mental health status and risk factors such as socioeconomic status, school stress, and
peer relationship. The sample size of estimated 385 participants gives enough statistical power for
pertinent analysis. The procedure will help establish patterns of mental health and causal factors
behind them and guide focused interventions towards maximizing well-being among adolescents.
Result: The study assessed socio-demographic characteristics, physical activity, drug abuse,
injury, violence exposure, and mental wellbeing among school-going students in Chattogram. Most
of the students were females (66.7%), 14 years old (46.7%), and were in Grade 9 (54.7%). Most
of the students were moderately active with 90.7% engaging in physical activity; however,
sedentary behavior and prolonged sitting were areas of concern. Alcohol consumption and
smoking tobacco were minimal (9.3% each), while peer pressure affected the consumption.
Injuries involved 46.7% of the students with one or more injuries, with falls being the leading
cause, and contact with physical violence was not much. Mental issues dominated the scene, as
14.7% had been bullied, 53.3% were lonely, and 48% had problems with sleep because of anxiety.
Worryingly, 13.3% considered suicide, with the immediate need for school mental health
interventions and support systems.
Conclusion: The present study points towards some alarming facts regarding school-going
students in Chattogram regarding their physical and mental well-being. Sedentary lifestyle and
excessive sitting are prevalent among most of the students, who otherwise exercise. Tobacco and
alcohol use are low, but peer influenced. Injuries due to falls, and exposure to violence are concerns
that continue. Mental health issues such as loneliness, anxiety, and suicidal thinking are common,
indicating the requirement of urgent interventions. Specialized mental health services, antibullying
programs, and initiatives to build healthier environments are required for improving students'
welfare and overall well-being. | en_US |
