Assessment of Somatic Symptoms among School Going Children: a Study from North East India

Somatic symptoms are commonly reported among young children. Research indicates that somatic symptoms could inflict limitations on daily living, social function and participation in school life. The aim of the study is to assess somatic symptoms among school going children. The cross sectional study was conducted in two schools from Tezpur, Assam. The school was selected using purposive sampling method keeping in view of operational and feasibility to collect the sample. Socio -demographic sheet, Children's Somatization Inventory (CSI) and The Duke Health Profile (DUKE) was administered to the subject's. On children's somatization inventory 10.8% respondent reported some headaches and 4.1% children's reported a lot headaches, feeling low in energy or slowed down (some 11.7% and 7.5% a lot ), Pains in your lower back(some 11.7% and 5% a lot ), Hot or cold spells(suddenly feeling hot or cold for no reason) reported by 9.2% (some) and 2.5 % (a lot ),Weakness(feeling weak)in parts of your body (some 13.3% and 4.2% a lot ), Heavy feelings in your arms or legs(when they feel too heavy to move) some 10.8% and 1.6% a lot ), Pain in your stomach or abdomen(stomach aches) (some 11.7% and 3.3% a lot ), Pain in your knees, elbows or other joints (some 15.0% and 7.5% a lot ) and Pain in your arms or legs (some 17.5% and 11.7% a lot). Significant positive correlation was found between the children somatic symptoms and anxiety ((p=348, p≤ 0.01 level).), depression (p=.364, p≤ 0.01 level), anxiety-depression (p=.387 p≤ 0.01 level)), pain (p=.337, p≤ 0.01 level)). The study shows that somatic symptoms are present among school children and it has a significant relationship with depression, anxiety, and pain .Thus early diagnosis and treatment will lead to improved clinical outcome and psycho social functioning among children.