Prevalence of Attention Deficit/hyperactive Disorder in School Going Children

Objectives : To find out the prevalence of ADHD in school going children and to study the effect of gender&socio demographic variables on ADHD children. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is disorder of childhood and adolescence characterized by a pattern of extreme pervasive, persistent and debilitating inattention, over activity and impulsivity (APA, 1994). ADHD is one of the most prevalent chronic health disorders affecting school age children. It is also the most frequently occurring problem in neuro-psychiatric disorders of children (Szymanski&Zolotor, 2001). Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (ADHD) has been recognized as one of the major public health problem in a number of Western countries as well as in developing countries. The prevalence of this syndrome is difficult to specify since it varies greatly with the diagnostic criteria employed, the population of children studied and method of investigation. Also the prevalence of ADHD in school going children is increasing day by day and it has become a burning problem for the teachers and parents. Thus, the present study will be helpful in identifying students with ADHD and for their better management. Methodology: The sample of the study consisted of 370 student studying in various schools (Saskiya Prathmic Shala, chowbe colony, Saskiya Prathmic Shala, Genious Public School&Sharda Public School Mana basti) of Raipur (C.G.). The sample covered students studying in I, II,&III standards of age range 6 to 11 years. All students fulfilling their inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. Result will be discussed in paper.