Screening for behavioural problems in children aged 3 to 5 years

Objective We aim to investigate the association between undergoing behavioural screening and having a diagnosis of behavioural problems and to explore factors associated with receiving treatment with counselling versus medication in children 3 to 5 years old. Methods This cross-sectional data analysis consisted of children 3-5 years old from the US National Study of Children's Health, 2017-2018. Pearson's chi(2) test was used to assess the association between formal and informal screening and having a behavioural problem. Prevalence of behavioural screening, behavioural problems, and covariates were calculated. Survey binomial logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between formal and informal screening and treatment with counselling versus medication in children with behavioural problems. Results A total of 7837 children 3-5 years old were included in the analysis. Combined formal and informal screening for behavioural problems was 18.1%, 12.3% of children had informal screening only, and 10.8% had formal screening, as reported by parents. Five percent of children had a diagnosis of behavioural problem, for which 6.8% had formal screening only, 16.5% had informal screening only, and 58% had both. Children who had both types of screening were about 10 times as likely to have behavioural problems, and about 4 times as likely if they only had informal screening. Children with behavioural problems who had both types of screening were about 5 times as likely to be treated with medication. Conclusion Formal behavioural screening was low in children 3 to 5 years old but, when done in conjunction with informal screening such as addressing parental concerns, was associated with a diagnosis of behavioural problems and receipt of treatment with medication.