Status Of Mental Health Of Children And Sociodemographic Factors Associated With It Three Years Following COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: COVID-19 disrupted every aspect of life, particularly affecting the mental well-being of children. Prolonged school closures, isolation, and lifestyle changes significantly impacted emotional and behavioral development.This study evaluated the mental health status of children three years after the pandemic and analyzed the influence of sociodemographic factors.   Objectives: To assess the current status of mental health among children 7–15 years, three years after  COVID-19. To evaluate the sociodemographic factors associated with mental health outcomes. Methods:  A cross sectional study was conducted from June2023 to December 2024 among 125 children aged 7–15 years at our institute.The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was administered to parents. Scores were analyzed using SPSS v26, applying chi-square, ANOVA, and t-tests for associations between mental health levels, gender, and socioeconomic status (SES). Results:Among 125 participants, 54.4% were male and 45.6% female. Most children (89.6%) were in the normal mental health range, 5.6% were borderline, and 4.8% were in the abnormal range. A significant association was found between SES and mental health levels (p=0.025). Anxiety (8%) and rule-breaking behavior (8%) were the most common symptoms. Somatic complaints and social problems were significantly associated with SES (p=0.008 and p=0.018 respectively). Conclusion: Three years after COVID-19, most children demonstrated satisfactory mental health, though a subset continued to exhibit anxiety and behavioral concerns. Socioeconomic disparities significantly influenced mental well-being. Long-term psychological monitoring and family-based interventions remain crucial in pediatric care post-pandemic. Keywords: Mental health, Socioeconomic status ,Depression, COVID-19,Child Behavior Checklist