Abstract
The study aimed to determine the prevalence of ADHD symptoms in Saudi children aged 6 to 13 years in Jeddah city. The study also explored the effect of variables namely teacher's knowledge, years of experience and teachers' gender on reported ADHD symptoms among primary grade students. A questionnaire survey methodology was adopted for the study. 550 children were included in the teachers' survey. Teachers assessed the ADHD symptoms in children using an 18-item scale based on DSM-V. The results indicated that the prevalence rates of ADHD among school-age differed according to ADHD subtypes. The Inattention type was rated by 35.34%, Hyperactivity/Impulsivity type was rated by 28.60%, and ADHD-C type was rated by 21.3% of the respondents. According to gender, for the Inattention subtype, the ratio between boys and girls was 1.7:1, for the Hyperactivity/Impulsivity subtype, the ratio between boys and girls was 2.03:1, and for combined subtype, the ratio between boys and girls was 2.2:1. According to the grade level, the highest prevalence of ADHD overall was found in grade three and the lowest prevalence was in grade six in all ADHD types. The present findings indicated that teachers' knowledge and gender (female) successfully predicted teacher-rated ADHD status.
Highlights
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention or hyperactivityimpulsivity that interferes with functioning or development (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
The findings indicated that the prevalence rates of ADHD among school-age children in Jeddah City differed according to ADHD sub-types
Inattention type was rated by 35.34%, Hyperactivity/Impulsivity type was rated by 28.60%, and ADHD-C type was rated by 21.3% of respondents
Summary
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention or hyperactivityimpulsivity that interferes with functioning or development (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). ADHD symptoms will continue into adulthood in 30-60% of the affected children (Harpin, 2005; Weiss, 1993). As children with ADHD move into adulthood, they experience more difficulties obtaining employment, have higher rates of psychiatric disorder (such as depression, personality disorder, substance abuse, and so forth), have more auto accidents, and are more likely to contract sexually transmitted diseases compared to adults without childhood ADHD (Barbaresi et al, 2013). Meta-analysis studies by Polanczyk et al (2007) indicated that the worldwide prevalence of ADHD among children and adolescents is 5.3% while Willcutt (2012) reported that the prevalence rate is 5.9%. Metaanalysis conducted with 175 eligible studies across the world, the prevalence of ADHD among children and adolescents is 7.2% (Thomas et al, 2015). An increased rate of ADHD prevalence by 1.8% between 2007 and 2015, from 5.3% to 7.2% has been detected
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call