Prevalence of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Students and Needs Modification of Mental Health Services in Shahrekord, Iran in 2013

• Main Authors: Parvin Safavi, Forouzan Ganji, Atenasadat Bidad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2016-04-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
• Subjects: child symptom inventory-4; epidemiology; frequency
• Online Access: https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/7671/14481_CE[Ra1]_F(GH)_PF1(Ro_Om)_PFA(AK)_PF2(PAG).pdf

Introduction and Objectives: In view of the complications of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and significance of its treatment, the present study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of ADHD among elementary school students of Shahrekord and to assess the obstacles preventing patients from accessing mental health services. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 631 eligible students were selected from elementary school students in Shahrekord County, Iran. Multi-stage stratified random sampling was adopted. Demographic data were gathered and Child Symptom Inventory-4 for parents and teachers was filled out for each student. The students with suspected ADHD were identified, and examined for the association among mental health help-seeking steps. Obstacles to mental health helpseeking were assessed. Results: ADHD prevalence was derived 17.3% and higher among male students (p=0.025). ADHD prevalence was associated with parents’ education and occupation. The evaluation and diagnosis rates were significantly associated with gender (p=0.002 and 0.005, respectively). The most prevalent obstacles facing access to mental health services were those relevant to feeling no need (86%), negative expectations of treatment (78%) and mental health system (64%). Conclusion: ADHD was highly prevalent among elementary school students. Identifying the patients and examining the existing obstacles of access to mental health system seems necessary.