Identification of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Among Rural Primary School Children

Authors

  • Mrs. Lakshmi. M  M.SC. (N), Department of Child Health Nursing, Puducherry, India

Keywords:

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Vanderbilt Assessment Scale-Teacher's Version, Prevalence, and Socioeconomic Status.

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among primary school children in a semi-urban setting and to investigate the co-morbid disorders associated with ADHD. The study involved children aged 5 to 11 from 15 government schools. The Vanderbilt Assessment Scale (Teacher's Version) was used to assess for ADHD, and positive screenings were further evaluated for co-morbid factors using the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL) scale, followed by an assessment by a psychiatrist. The results showed a prevalence of 9.67% for ADHD among primary school children in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The prevalence was higher among males (12.98%) than females (5.63%), with the highest rates observed in the 10-11-year-old age group. The male-to-female ratio for ADHD was 2.7:1. The combined subtype was the most common (45.83%), followed by the Attention Deficit subtype (36.45%) and the Hyperactive-Impulsive subtype (17.7%). Children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds exhibited a higher vulnerability to ADHD (9.96%) than those from middle and upper socioeconomic classes (7.56%). The co-morbid condition most commonly associated with ADHD was poor academic performance (18.75%), followed by poor social behavior (17.7%). In conclusion, the study highlights the significant prevalence of ADHD among primary school children, particularly in the context of gender and socioeconomic disparities. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing ADHD to help children overcome these challenges.

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International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology

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Published

2023-10-30

Issue

Volume 10, Issue 5, September-October-2023

Section

Research Articles

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How to Cite

[1]
Mrs. Lakshmi. M "Identification of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Among Rural Primary School Children" International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology(IJSRST), Online ISSN : 2395-602X, Print ISSN : 2395-6011,Volume 10, Issue 5, pp.494-501, September-October-2023.