Externalizing behavior problems and influencing factors among Hui nationality left-behind children in rural areas of China

Abstract Background: Externalizing behavior problems (EBP) is being increasingly viewed as a public health problem. Previous study showed that the detection rate of behavioral problems of Hui nationality left-behind children (LBC) was far higher than that of Han nationality LBC. However, existing literature has not reported EBP of Hui nationality LBC. The purpose of current study was to investigate the prevalence EBP and its influencing factors among Hui nationality LBC in rural areas of China.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among school students from the southern rural areas in Ningxia, China (2012-2013). The general self-made questionnaire, Egma Minnen av Bardndosnauppforstran (EMBU), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ for Children), Piers-Harri Children's Self-concept Scale (PHCSS) and Achenbach's Child behavior Checklist (CBCL for parents) were used to investigate the related information. Descriptive analysis and logistic regressions were conducted. Results: The prevalence of EBP in Hui nationality LBC and non-left-behind children(non-LBC) were 12.01% (46/383) and 8.57% (49/572), respectively, and there was no significant difference between them (χ2 =3.04, P=0.08). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low self-concept of behavioral (OR=13.71), introversion (OR =11.19) and intermediate personality (OR=9.35) were risk factors for EBP of Hui nationality LBC, while the intermediate type of mother refusal and denial (OR =0.43) was their protective factor. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that parental migration is a risk factor for EBP among Hui nationality LBC in rural China. Influencing factors should be considered when formulating relevant policies and undertaking intervention measures in the future, so as to reduce EBP of Hui nationality LBC.