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Artificial Intelligence in Early Screening and Intervention of Childhood PTSD and OCD: Opportunities and Challenges in Bangladesh

Students & Supervisors

Student Authors
Zinedine Zidane Khan
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Engineering, FST
Raiyan Yusuf
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Engineering, FST
Zubaer Abdullah
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Engineering, FST
Sadeed Ahmed
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Engineering, FST
Supervisors
Mahfuza Khatun, Ph.d
Associate Professor, Faculty, FST

Abstract

Background: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are some of the common mental disorders in childhood that are frequently underdiagnosed in Bangladesh for stigma, non-availability of manpower & infrastructure. The integration of Artificial Intelligence into psychological services provides a promising approach to bridge these gaps, notably for initial screening and intercession. Methods: A mixed method of secondary data analysis and cross-sectional study was applied. AI powered tools such as chatbots were tested through interviews and user feedback in different rural and urban areas to be tested for the ability to diagnose and support children with PTSD and OCD. The statistical analysis was performed in the SPSS software for determining the relationship between childhood traumas, mental disorders, and AI involvement in the intervention. Results: With the advancement of AI technologies, AI-based mental health initiatives in Bangladesh have been gradually growing since 2010, with the coverage of mental health screenings increasing from 0.5% in 1995 to 25% in 2024. The percentage of PTSD and OCD cases diagnosed in childhood was noted to have risen as well, a sign of increased awareness. Nevertheless, the accuracy of AI screening still varies within the range of 60-90% and has not been tested in the rurality context. The findings of our study expose shortcomings in the local context-based chatbot models, cultural fitness, and interpretability of the AI response. Conclusion: Early intervention for childhood PTSD and OCD in Bangladesh unfortunately can be time consuming and expensive, but AI tools such as chatbots can provide a low-cost solution. The work would be biased and meant to advance the accuracy of AI and promote the decidable use of AI for wider applications in the future.

Keywords

AI in Mental Health Childhood PTSD and OCD Chatbot-based Diagnosis Mental Health Screening.

Publication Details

  • Type of Publication: Conference 
  • Conference Name: National BioMed Health ResearchCon 2025
  • Date of Conference: 28/08/2025 - 28/08/2025
  • Venue: Dr. Milon Auditorium, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka
  • Organizer: Dhaka Medical College Research & Academic Club
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