Study of Somatic Complaints among Children with Poor Academic Performance

Objectives: 1 To study the nature and prevalence of somatic complaints among children with poor academic performance., 2. To study the associated Psychiatric problems among children with poor academic performance were presenting with somatic complaints. Material and Methods: Total of 1480 children studying in 3 CBSE schools, aged between 6 and 12 years were screened. 312 children were found to be performing poor in academics. After simple randomization and further screening procedure 115 children were included in the study. Each child was assessed by interviewing with MINI-KID Questionnaire and CBCL. Statistical analysis was done using Epi Info 7 software. Results: The prevalence of poor academic performers was found to be 21.08%. The prevalence of somatic complaints among children with poor academic performance was found to be 29.57%. Majority of poor academic performers have single somatic complaints accounts to be 21.74% and multiple somatic complaints accounts to be 7.83%. Prevalence of types somatic complaints like head ache, abdominal pain / discomfort and other complaints among poor academic performers were 20.87%, 11.30% and 9.57% respectively. Conclusion: Somatic complaints in school going children leads to poor performance in academics and school drop outs. Prevalence of somatic complaints were more in boys. Headache is the most common type of somatic complaint presented by the children.