Table 1.
Characteristics of children and youth at their first ED visit for a behavioural problem (n=325)
| n | (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| Age group | ||
| 10–12 years | 79 | (24.3) |
| 13–17 years | 246 | (75.7) |
| Gender | ||
| Male | 192 | (59.1) |
| Female | 133 | (40.9) |
| Household annual income, median | ||
| <$30,000 | 11 | (3.4) |
| $30,000 – $49,999 | 45 | (13.8) |
| $50,000 – $69,999 | 167 | (51.4) |
| $70,000 – $89,999 | 51 | (15.7) |
| >$90,000 | 31 | (9.5) |
| Unavailable | 20 | (6.2) |
| Psychiatric medication use | ||
| Yes | 157 | (48.3) |
| No | 160 | (49.2) |
| Unable to determine/missing | 8 | (2.5) |
| Previously diagnosed psychiatric disorder | ||
| Yes | 193 | (59.4) |
| No | 129 | (39.7) |
| Unable to determine/missing | 3 | (0.9) |
| Other diagnosed health conditionsa | ||
| No past medical history documented | 135 | (41.5) |
| Medical co-morbidity | 105 | (32.3) |
| Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder | 25 | (7.7) |
| Tourette’s Syndrome | 20 | (6.1) |
| History of self-harm | 63 | (19.4) |
| History of substance abuse | 62 | (19.1) |
| Developmental delay | 17 | (5.2) |
| Language or speech delay | 5 | (1.5) |
| Congenital disorder | 5 | (1.5) |
| Other | 3 | (0.9) |
| Unable to determine/missing | 4 | (1.2) |
| Documented medical resource use | ||
| Psychiatrist | 137 | (42.2) |
| Psychologist | 40 | (12.3) |
| Family physician/pediatrician | 30 | (9.2) |
| Other | 28 | (8.6) |
| None stated by family | 15 | (4.6) |
| Unable to determine/missing | 75 | (23.1) |
a
Total >100%; some children/youth had multiple conditions