The Lifetime Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Co-Morbidities of Specific Phobia Among Pediatric Population: A Cross-Sectional National Survey

Background Specific phobia (SP) is one of the most common mental disorders among general population. In this national survey in Iran, we aimed to identify lifetime prevalence, predictors, and co-morbidities SP children adolescents. Methods A face-to-face household interview was applied by 250 skilled clinical psychologists using Persian version kiddie schedule for affective schizophrenia school-age children/present (K-SADS-PL) determine prevalence its co-morbid conditions. Results About 30 000 individuals participated study. We identified 923 (378 boys 545 girls) with SP. The rate 4.8%. This condition related gender, age, type settlement. Female gender living urban areas were main positive predictors developing showed that parental educations their history psychiatric hospitalization not occurrence. Anxiety behavioral reported our included Conclusions findings study indicate a prevalent disorder pediatric population different should be underestimated.