Abstract
BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children. Its occurrence and pattern of presentation are unknown in Botswana.AimTo determine the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), associated comorbid conditions and risk factors amongst school-age children in Botswana.SettingPrimary schools in Gaborone, Botswana.MethodsThis study used a cross-sectional design. A two-stage random sampling technique was utilised to select learners from 25 out of the 29 public schools in the city. The Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnostic Rating Scale (VADRS), teacher and parent versions, was administered.ResultsOf the 1737 children, 50.9% (n = 884) were male, and their mean age was 9.53 years (s.d. = 1.97). The prevalence of ADHD was 12.3% (n = 213). The most prevalent presentation was the predominantly inattentive, 7.2% (n = 125). A family history of mental illness (odds ratio [OR] = 6.59, 95% CI: 1.36–32.0) and perinatal complications (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.08–4.29) emerged as the independent predictors of ADHD.ConclusionsThe prevalence of ADHD in Botswana is slightly higher than that reported in the literature, but the pattern of presentations and comorbidities is similar. A positive family history of mental illness and perinatal complications independently predicted ADHD. Mental health screening amongst families of the affected individuals and improved perinatal care should be considered as health care priorities in Botswana.
Highlights
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and affects 3% – 12% of primary school children.[1]
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder impairs the social development and academic performance of an affected individual. It exacts a huge psychosocial and economic burden on the family and the community.[1,2]. It is associated with an increased risk of low self-esteem, poor interpersonal relationships, poor school performance, conduct problems, criminality, substance abuse and sexual promiscuity, which may increase the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission.[3,4,5]
Of the 1820 VADRS-TV distributed to the teachers who consented, 1799 (98.8%) were retrieved after the first phase of the study, and 420 (23.3%) children met the criteria for ADHD
Summary
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and affects 3% – 12% of primary school children.[1]. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is characterised by a pattern of reduced sustained attention and a higher level of activity in children or adolescents than expected for someone of that age and developmental level.[1,6] Symptoms include behaviours such as excessive talking, difficulty in paying close attention to details, difficulty in organising tasks and activities, fidgeting and an inability to remain settled in appropriate situations amongst others.[6] According to the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual-5 (DSM-5) criteria, this pattern of behaviours should be present in at least two settings (such as school and home). Its occurrence and pattern of presentation are unknown in Botswana
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