Epidemiology of Psychotic Disorders Based on Demographic Variables in Iranian Children and Adolescents

Seyyed Salman Alavi; Mohammad Reza Mohammadi; Zahra Hooshyar; Soroush  Mohammadi Kalhori; Mona Salehi; Maryam Salmanian; Ali Khaleghi; Hadi Zarafshan; Ameneh Ahmadi; Koorosh Kamali; Nastran Ahmadi

doi:10.18502/ijps.v16i1.5372

Seyyed Salman Alavi
Mohammad Reza Mohammadi
Zahra Hooshyar
Soroush Mohammadi Kalhori
Mona Salehi
Maryam Salmanian
Ali Khaleghi
Hadi Zarafshan
Ameneh Ahmadi
Koorosh Kamali
Nastran Ahmadi

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v16i1.5372

Abstract

Objective: Psychosis is still among the most debilitating and severe mental disorders. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the estimated prevalence of psychotic disorders and finding the main predictors of psychotic disorders among Iranian children and adolescents.

Method: Our total sample consisted of 30 553 individuals (49% males and 51%females) from 30 provinces of Iran, aged between 6 and 18 years, who were selected via cluster sampling method from urban and rural areas of all provinces. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and multiple logistic regression method.

Results: The results of multiple regression analysis showed that prevalence estimate of psychotic disorders was 0.25%. It was 0.3% and 0.2% in males and females, respectively. The age of 10-14 (OR = 2.24; 95% CI, 1.11-4.55) and the age of 15-18 (OR = 3.42; 95% CI, 1.74-6.75) were significant positive predictors, whereas none of the demographic variables were predictors for psychotic symptoms.

Conclusion: This research highlights the main predictors of psychosis in children and adolescents. The study design also allowed a better understanding of predictors of psychotic disorders. The assessment of the prevalence