Prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Primary School Children in Tikrit City, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most widely recognized neurobehavioral problem of children, which can interfere with the social and academic level. Objectives: To detect the prevalence of ADHD among primary school students in Tikrit city, Iraq, and to find the effect of the disease on school performance. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was done among students in 6 primary schools for boys and girls during the studying year 2012-2013. The criteria of diagnosis were done according to the American Psychiatric Association. Students who fulfill the criteria were included and the following parameters were studied including age, gender, family history, mother education, socioeconomic status of the family, and school performance. Results: The prevalence rate of ADHD in this study was 8.67%. Boys were mostly affected (65%). Most of them were under 9 years old (49%). Inattention subtype was mostly found in this study (38%) followed by combined (34%) and then hyperactive (28%). Positive family history was found in (43%) of cases. The education level of their mothers was intermediate or secondary school level (37%). The majority of the cases were from the middle socioeconomic status (53%). Poor school performance was seen in 69% of the cases. Conclusion: ADHD is a big problem among students of primary schools in Tikrit city with a significant effect on the academic state.