Objective   To describe the prevalence of behavioral problems in children and adolescents in Hefei and to explore the relationship between behavioral problems and family or school envir onmental factors.

  Methods   Using Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist to rate the family and school envir onmental factors and behav ioral problems in 1 978 children and adolescents aged from 6 to 18 years old in Hefei.

  Results   Atotal of 194 of children and ado lescents were rated behavioral problems and the prevalence was 9.8%.The prevalence of behavioral problems in high school was 10.5%and that in primary school was 8.7%.The prevalence of behavior al prlblems in males was 10.1%and that in females was 9.4%(P > 0.05).The difference in prevalence of behavioral problems was not statistically significance.The higher prevalene rated by Child Behavior Cheklist(CBCL)were psycho ticism, bad communication, ag gression and violat ing discipline, etc.The risk factors of behavioral problems in children and adolescents were as follows, living with single parent, the other child with behavioral and study problems in the same family, parents with mental health problem, bad emotional atmosphere in family, the parents unsatisfied with child's school work, dislike to go to school, poor relationship with the classmates or adults, learning difficulty and etc.

  Conclusion   The family or school social environment was an important factor which influenced the behavioral development of children and adolescent.