Suggestive obsessive-compulsive disorder in students attending a public high school in Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract

Objectives: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often starts in childhood and adolescence and can be a chronic disorder with high persistence rates. The prevalence of OCD in this group is between 0.5-4%. It may occur in children as young as 6-7 years of age. The aim of the present study is to explore suggestive OCD in adolescents in a public high school and factors related with suggestive OCD. Patients and Methods: Ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th grade students attending a public high school were included in the study. In our study, we used a questionnaire made up of a sociodemographic survey form and the Leyton's Obsessional Inventory. The inventory was applied as a self-report questionnaire. Results: A high suggestive OCD prevalence was found among students (14.3%). Students who declared to be traumatized in childhood had 3,55 times higher odds to exhibit suggestive OCD than those who declared to be not traumatized. Also students who reported to possess a psychological disorder had 2,22 times higher odds to exhibit suggestive OCD than students who reported not having a psychological disorder. Conclusion: The prevalence of suggestive OCD was high in students who participated to our study. More comprehensive studies are needed to be done.