The Prevalence of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms Among Students and Its Relation with Drug Consumption

Abstract

Background: Although Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common mental disorder among adults, until recently, it was seldom diagnosed in adults. The significance of this disorder as a disease afflicting adults is increasing on a daily basis due to the complications associated with it such as disrupting occupational and educational functionality, as well as increasing the probability of drug abuse among those suffering from it. Objectives: With due regard to the significance of the subject. This study was conducted with the purpose of investigating the ADHD symptoms exhibited by students at Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. Patients and Methods: The present investigation is a descriptive-analytical study conducted at Zahedan Universitsy of Medical Sciences. The consensus sampling method was implemented to a sample volume consisting of 1000 persons. Based on the goals set in this research, two questionnaires were presented to the students to be completed arbitrarily: the demographic questionnaire and the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale Screening Version (CAARS-O:SV) questionnaire. The obtained information was then fed as input to the SPSS Software for analysis. Results: Of the 1000 questionnaires, 913 were completely answered by participants: 589 (64.5%) by female and 324 (35.5%) by male students. The average age of the participants was 21.7 ± 3.2. About 8% of the students reported drug abuse during the previous month. Compared with the symptom-free group, 27.1% in the inattention group, 30.3% in the hyperactivity group, 28.1% in the impulsiveness group, and 36.7% in the self-image problem group mentioned cases of drug abuse. Conclusions: The obtained results seem to indicate frequent occurrences of ADHD symptoms among the students. This requires further clinical evaluation and, if possible, diagnosis and consequent medical treatment for preventing the loss of educational performance or possible drug abuse, as well as decreasing impulsiveness.