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Behavioural, emotional and rhythm‐related disturbances in toddlers: Preliminary findings from a community‐based study in Kerala, India

ABSTRACT Purpose The need to enhance mental health in primary care settings for infants and toddlers is increasingly becoming apparent. However, the lack of trained healthcare personnel and culturally appropriate measures makes it a challenge in low‐ and middle‐income countries. A needs‐based assess...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Infant mental health journal 2021-03, Vol.42 (2), p.292-298
Main Authors: Jacob, Preeti, TS, Jaisoorya, G, Sunil Kumar, L, Manoj, GR, Gokul, K, Thennarasu, Srinath, Shoba
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:ABSTRACT Purpose The need to enhance mental health in primary care settings for infants and toddlers is increasingly becoming apparent. However, the lack of trained healthcare personnel and culturally appropriate measures makes it a challenge in low‐ and middle‐income countries. A needs‐based assessment of the extent of the problems in toddlers will help address the lacunae in providing mental health services. Methods A needs‐based assessment was carried out of a community sample of 9,287 mothers with toddlers aged between 13 and 25 months in Kerala, India. This assessment was conducted by junior public health nurses using an indigenously developed checklist titled ‘Screening checklist for Behavioural, Emotional and Rhythm‐related disturbances in Toddlers’ (S‐BERT). Results According to the mothers surveyed, 30.4% of toddlers had concerning or distress causing behaviours. Three factors, namely behavioural, rhythm‐related and emotional disturbances, were deemed significant when the item response theory was used to examine the factor structure of S‐BERT. Conclusion This study suggests that behaviours that cause distress to mothers of toddlers are common, if queried specifically. Given the constraints in health resources as the cultural factors in operation, use of indigenous tools and principles of collaborative stepped care may be the way forward. RESUMEN Propósito: La necesidad de mejorar la salud mental en lugares de atención primaria para infantes y niños pequeñitos es cada vez más aparente. Sin embargo, la falta de un personal entrenado de cuidado de salud y medidas culturalmente apropiadas la convierte en un reto en países de bajos y medianos recursos económicos. Una evaluación, con base en las necesidades, de la extensión de los problemas en los niños pequeñitos ayudará a llenar el vacío de proveer servicios de salud mental. Métodos: Una evaluación con base en las necesidades se efectuó en un grupo muestra comunitario de 9,287 madres con niños pequeñitos de edad entre los 13 y 25 meses en Kerala, India. Esta evaluación la llevó a cabo por un grupo de nuevas enfermeras de salud pública usando una lista de verificación desarrollada localmente y conocida como “Lista para verificar la examinación de trastornos en el comportamiento, la emoción y relacionados con el ritmo en niños pequeñitos” (S‐BERT). Resultados: De acuerdo con las madres de la encuesta, 30.4% de los niños pequeñitos presentaban preocupaciones o angustias que causaban el comportamiento. Tr
ISSN:0163-9641
1097-0355
DOI:10.1002/imhj.21905