Prevalence Rate of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Among the Students of Primary Schools

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is the most common psychiatric disorder in school age
children. Because of the high prevalence of this disorder and its effect on the individual general
function, this survey has been accomplished due to ADHD prevalent rate in the fourfold
educational region, private and governmental primary school students in the different
educational grades in both genders in Shiraz in 2001.
2182 primary school students including 1082 boys and 1099 girls were selected via randomly
cluster sampling method. The data of this cross-sectional research has been collected through
complied questionnaire based on the 18 DSM-IV ADHD symptoms and then clinical assessment
of students and their parents by a child psychiatrist. The data of this investigation has been
analyzed and evaluated via SPSS software.
The results show that the general prevalence of ADHD has been 5.82%, which consists of
1.14% inattentive subtype, 0.45% hyperactive impulsive subtype and 4.21% combined subtype.
Also the results show that there is a significant difference between boys (8.49%) and girls
(3.18%) (P<0.001) there was a significant difference in educational function of those who were
affected by ADHD and those who were not affected by this disorder (P<0.001) and it was lower
in the suffering group. There was a significant difference in discipline grade between two
groups (P<0.001). ADHD group received lower grades.
Because of the high prevalence of ADHD among primary school students and its undesirable
outcome, it is recommended preventive Mental Health program.