Objective: To identify mental health problems in 6 years old children in Thai Nguyen province.
Subjects and methods: Cohort study, all 6 years old children whose mothers received micronutrient supplementation before and during pregnancy in 20 communes across four districts of Thai Nguyen province.
Results: Emotional problems, 33.15% felt anxious in new environments, and 15.1% exhibited a partial level of fear. Conduct problems, boys tended to be less obedient (p = 0.011), more aggressive (p = 0.003), and more likely to engage in misconduct such as lying or taking things that do not belong to them compared to girls (p < 0.001). Hyperactivity problems, boys had higher rates of restlessness and difficulty concentrating (p < 0.001). They also demonstrated poorer impulse control and task completion than girls. Peer problems, boys tended to be more withdrawn (p = 0.038) and were less liked by peers than girls (p = 0.013). About 37.7% of children experienced teasing or bullying. Mental health problems based on thresholds: 1.6% of children had emotional problems, 2% had behavioral problems, 2% had hyperactivity problems, 7% had peer problems, and 0.8% had overall difficulties.
Conclusion: Mental health problems based on thresholds found that boys exhibited greater challenges in behavioral control compared to girls.