SCREENING OF ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER SYMPTOMS IN A CROSS SECTION OF SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN

Objectives: To find the likeliness of having ADHD in a sample of children. To find out most common type of symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This study is based on screening tool so word ‘likeliness’ is used to express the expected prevalence.

Methodology

• Study Design: Descriptive, Cross Sectional Survey.
• Study Setting: Study was conducted in schools of Islamabad. Parents of children were met at schools and interviewed.
• Study Duration: September to November 2016.
• Sample Size: A random sample of 101 children between age of 4-14 was taken.
• Sampling technique: Systematic random sampling.
• Study tool: SNAP-IV 26 rating scale.

Results: Likeliness of ADHD presence is 3.96% in sample population. Most common type was ADHD-Hyperactive. All ADHD positive scoring children also had Oppositional defiant disorder, suggesting 100% co morbidity. Symptoms of Oppositional defiant disorder were positive in 5.9% children.

Conclusion: Expected prevalence of ADHD is 3.9% in Islamabad. Most common type is ADHD-hyperactive type. Oppositional defiant disorder is associated with all ADHD positive scorers and it is more prevalent than ADHD.

Key Word: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, School Children, Screening.