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Background and objective: Rising incidence of mental health problems is a serious issue all over the world. Adolescents living in orphanages are at a particular risk as they have numerous challenges in their life and coping with them requires adequate life skills. This study aims to assess the emotional and behavioral issues and the coping strategies adopted by adolescent orphans in Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study comprises 109 adolescent orphans living in different orphanages. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for evaluating the emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs) was used while KIDCOPE scale was adopted to assess the coping strategies. Results: About 34.9% of orphans fell in an abnormal range of EBP and 22.9% were in the borderline zone. The most prevalent problem was conduct (25.7%) followed by peer problems (24.8%), emotional instability (18.3%), hyperactivity (17.4%), and prosocial behavior (11%). A significant and positive correlation was observed between peer problems and maladaptive strategies (r = 0.191, p = 0.047) and between prosocial behavior and adaptive strategies (r = 0.294, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Orphans residing in orphanages suffer from behavioral and emotional problems and are using maladaptive coping strategies. It is highly suggestive to monitor and maintain an optimal psychological health of this vulnerable population in our country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background and Objective: The elderly face various health challenges in later life as their immune defenses deteriorate leaving them quite vulnerable and frail. The situation becomes all the more desperate when the basic health support system is compromised or simply unavailable. This study has been conducted to assess the perceived health status of residents of local old-age homes and their access to available health services. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 119 elderly subjects living in old age homes (OAHs) in Lahore city of Pakistan. Using the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire, health-related outcomes of the geriatric population were assessed under eight domains while a self-structured questionnaire was used to determine the level of available health care facilities. Results: The mean age of the study population was 69.88 ± 5.08 years The lowest mean score is observed in the pain domain i.e., 19.20 ± 12.12, whereas a little better score has been seen for emotional well-being i.e., (58.28 ± 26.58). Insufficient health care services have been regarded as a major issue for the elderly face in OAHs. Conclusion: The elderly population living in OAHs suffer from poor health status and face multiple barriers to accessing basic health care facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]