Childhood Trauma and Conduct Disorder Among Pupils in Public Primary Schools in Kano State, North West Nigeria

Adverse childhood experiences have been consistently linked to behavioral dysregulation and conduct disorder in school-aged children, with long-term implications for mental health trajectories. This study investigates the association between childhood trauma and conduct disorder symptoms among pupils in public primary schools in Kano State, North West Nigeria. A cross-sectional design will be used, with a sample of 280 pupils aged 8 to 12 selected from six primary schools in three local government areas. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) will be completed by parents or caregivers, while the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) will assess conduct disorder symptoms. School teachers will provide academic and behavioral records to supplement self-reported data. Sociodemographic variables including household size, parental occupational status, and prior child welfare involvement will be captured. Multiple logistic regression will determine the strength of the trauma-conduct disorder association after controlling for confounders. Research in Northern Nigeria highlights poverty, domestic violence, and parental absence as key contributors to childhood trauma. This study will contribute to evidence guiding early intervention and child psychiatry services in the region. Keywords: childhood trauma, conduct disorder, primary school, Kano State, adverse experiences