Study the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Symptoms in a Sample of Primary School Children

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood, which affects more than 5% of the population worldwide. ADHD is characterized by developmentally inappropriate behaviors of inattention, and/or impulsivity and hyperactivity. These behavioral manifestations contribute to diminish academic, occupational and social functioning, and have neurobiological bases.

The aim of the study was to recognize the ADH symptoms prevalence among a sample of students and to detect the psychiatric co-morbidity among the studied sample This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on 566 students , from 6 primary schools ,3 governmental and 3 private schools , from Giza area , aging 6 to12 years old (mean age 9.15 ± 1.55 years), through the academic year 2013 / 2014 . sample was selected by systematic random sampling After ethical approval was obtained from education authorities to conduct the study with the permission of parents, the recruited pupils were subjected to the following: (1)-Full history taking: Including items related to demographic information as age, sex, school grade, residence, parent education, social class (2)-Full child psychiatric sheet for the diagnosis of ADHD according to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth edition (DSM-5., 2013) .