Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous Saudi studies have shown the psychiatric comorbidity among adolescent girls. This article was done to assess the prevalence and comorbidity of psychiatric disorders among secondary school girls in Taif area.
METHODS: A cross-sectional multistage cluster-sampling methodology was carried out on 1024 secondary school female students. Psychometric evaluation of students was carried out using the Beck depression inventory, Castello and Comery Anxiety scale and Obsessive – compulsive disorder scale.
RESULTS: Out of the 1024 participants, 42.9%, 54.9%, and 23.1% had significant depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive symptoms, respectively. In addition, 64.7% of them had symptoms of the three studied disorders. A highly significant positive correlation was found between depression score and both anxiety and OC symptoms scores and between anxiety score and OC symptoms score.
CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for a national intervention program for promotion of adolescent mental health. The program should include screening of students using the psychometric scales.