A Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among primary school teachers in selected schools, Kottayam

The present study was conducted to assess the knowledge regarding ADHD among primary school teachers in selected schools, Kottayam. The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge regarding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among primary school teachers and to find the association between knowledge of primary school teachers regarding ADHD and selected demographic variables. Convenience sampling technique was used to select 30 samples from the three primary schools of Kottayam district. The tools for data collection included semi structured questionnaire for collecting demographic data and a self- administered standardized questionnaire to assess knowledge regarding ADHD among primary school teachers. Pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility of the study and followed by which data collection was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The result showed that among 30 subjects 6(20%) had poor level of knowledge, 24 (80%) had average level of knowledge and none of them had good level of knowledge regarding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The study findings revealed that there is significant association between level of knowledge of primary school teachers and selected demographic variables such as gender, type of job, and any special training in child psychology. Result indicated that teachers’ greatest area of knowledge dealt with general information of ADHD. Teachers had lower scores related to identifying the symptoms and diagnosis and knowledge of treatments for the disorder. In conclusion, teachers in Kottayam district needed training on identifying symptoms and diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. The study recommended that In-service training courses to teachers about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder enhance teachers, parents and community awareness about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder through mass media.