Prevalence of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms among university students

Abstract

Background: Many general practitioners admit to having limited skills in recognizing and treating adult attention- deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This results in late treatment and have a significant impact on many facets of life. Objective: To assess the prevalence of ADHD symptoms among students in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: In 2022, a cross-sectional study on a sample of 1,569 students. The students' responses to online surveys (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale) were used to collect data. The statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 23. Results: ADHD was more common than the average by 30.3%. Additionally, the prevalence of ADHD and it's shown to have a gender effect, with females scoring 35.05% and 16.60% higher on the ADHD and hyperactivity scales than males. Conclusion: The high frequency of ADHD symptoms among college students points to the significance of early clinical identification of risk factors, which will enhance the quality of life for those with ADHD.