• disparities in healthcare
• mental health promotion
• neuropsychiatric disorders
• resource-limited setting
• school-based intervention

Le patologie neuropsichiatriche rappresentano una rilevante causa di disabilità nei bambini, con impatto significativo in contesti a risorse limitate come i campi profughi saharawi di Tindouf.
Questo studio osservazionale multicentrico ha indagato la prevalenza e le caratteristiche di tali disturbi in ambito scolastico e ospedaliero, valutando l’efficacia di interventi formativi per sensibilizzare le insegnanti nel riconoscimento e nella gestione di queste patologie.
Lo screening effettuato nelle scuole primarie tramite lo Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), ha evidenziato un rischio elevato di disturbi neuropsichiatrici nel 2,2% (2023) e nel 5,3% (2024) degli alunni, mai diagnosticati né trattati. L’intervento formativo ha sensibilizzato le insegnanti circa l’importanza di individuare i bambini con difficoltà per fornire un adeguato supporto. In ambito ospedaliero, sono stati osservati principalmente casi di paralisi cerebrale infantile ed epilessia, evidenziando criticità significative e disparità rispetto agli standard internazionali in termini di accesso a diagnosi e trattamento.
Lo studio evidenzia l’importanza di raccogliere dati epidemiologici in contesti a risorse limitate e di implementare programmi integrati per la diagnosi precoce e il trattamento, coinvolgendo scuole e strutture sanitarie, al fine di migliorare la qualità di vita dei bambini e ridurre il rischio di comorbidità e complicanze.

Neurological and psychiatric disorders are a major cause of disability in children, with a particularly significant impact in resource-limited settings such as the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf.
The present multicentric observational study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of these disorders in both school and hospital settings, assessing the effectiveness of training interventions aimed at sensitising teachers to recognise and manage these conditions.
A screening programme was conducted in primary schools using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). This revealed a high risk of undiagnosed and untreated neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders in 2.2% (in 2023) and 5.3% (in 2024) of students. The introduction of training interventions led to an enhancement in teachers' awareness regarding the significance of identifying children experiencing difficulties, thereby facilitating the provision of adequate support. In the hospital setting, cases of cerebral palsy and epilepsy were most frequently observed, highlighting critical issues and disparities compared to international standards for diagnosis and treatment.
This study emphasises the significance of collecting epidemiological data on neurological and psychiatric disorders in children living in resource-constrained environments and the implementation of integrated programmes for early diagnosis and treatment. These programmes, integrating educational institutions and healthcare facilities, are imperative for enhancing the quality of life among children and mitigating the likelihood of comorbidities and secondary complications.